Quarterback Julian Lewis is approaching an interesting situation with the Colorado Buffaloes. With Deion Sanders at the helm for the past two seasons, the Buffaloes have blossomed into a premier college football program.
Once viewed as one of the worst Division I programs in the nation, it is now a popular destination for recruits. However, next season could be challenging with stars Travis Hunter and Shedeur Sanders leaving the team.
Fortunately for Deion Sanders’ squad, they have someone who they hope is a future superstar at the QB position coming in, Julian Lewis. Lewis, who is a five-star recruit and No. 12-ranked player in his class, according to ESPN, will be expected to be the next great QB for the Buffaloes.
Lewis did not get the opportunity to learn under Shedeur Sanders, as he is headed to the NFL. However, that does not mean that the young star did not take anything from the former Colorado QB.
In an image posted by analyst Ari Wasserman on Wednesday on X from Big 12 media days, Julian Lewis carried forward Shedeur Sanders’ iconic wrist-up move. This move shows his watch and is something he often does when he celebrates on the field.
“Julian Lewis’ AP at Big 12 media days,” Ari Wasserman wrote.
Julian Lewis’ AP at Big 12 media days pic.twitter.com/HIOuMltyCL
— Ari Wasserman (@AriWasserman) July 9, 2025
Julian Lewis Is Not Guaranteed Starting QB Role Next Season
Despite being one of the highest-ranked recruits in the nation, the starting position is not guaranteed next season for Julian Lewis. He is one of the youngest players in his class (turns 18 on Sept. 21) and the coaching staff might choose to have him redshirt his true freshman season.
To ensure there is competition, Colorado brought in competition via the transfer portal this offseason with Liberty QB Kaidon Salter.
If Lewis is not ready for the starting role, Salter will take the job next season. In a conversation with USA Today in June, Lewis spoke about the QB competition.
“CU is about development and competition,” Lewis said. “The only thing I was looking for as a recruit was to be coached by great coaches and have an opportunity to compete as a freshman.
“I’ve been competing for QB jobs since I was 7,” he added. “I joined a team at 10 that already had a QB, I competed every day against the guy who was there, and we ended up winning the Battle Youth National Championship that season and I threw 70 touchdown passes.”
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