With Shedeur Sanders projected to be a top pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders will be looking for a new quarterback to serve as his successor.
Fans believe that this is where 2025 five-star quarterback Julian Lewis will come in. Lewis recently announced his commitment to the Buffs and has shared his excitement about being part of the team.
Colorado Commit Julian Lewis Doesn’t See Benchwarming in His Future
One reason Coach Prime stands out among college football teams is his aversion to redshirting. In Sanders’ Colorado football program, the best players get a chance to shine on the field, regardless of seniority.
The hierarchy in the team is based on meritocracy, and this is what makes Boulder appealing to Lewis even with former Liberty QB Kaidon Salter committing to the Buffaloes through the transfer portal.
Top high school QB Juju Lewis on his commitment to Colorado, “I like that I’ll be able to compete right away, I won’t be very happy sitting on the bench.” Colorado just signed one of the top transfer portal QB’s, Kaidon Salter. #GoBuffs pic.twitter.com/0s7zM0tsci
— “Lunatic Fringe Portion of FSU Fan Base” (@EFESHEW) December 18, 2024
Lewis made waves on college football media when he announced his commitment to the Colorado Buffaloes. In his appearance on “The Pat McAfee Show,” Lewis made it clear that he expects to start playing immediately.
“Coach Prime always says the best men are gonna play, and that’s really what I wanted was to come in and compete and start as a freshman,” Lewis said. “I wouldn’t have much fun sitting on the bench, so I want to come in somewhere and have a chance to play. So, he’s gonna let me compete for that and that was big for me.”
While some may have doubted the possibility of Lewis starting for the Buffs as a freshman, he erased those doubts after releasing a commitment video that featured Shedeur Sanders handing him keys, while Lewis sat majestically on a throne. This represented a changing of the guard, meaning Shedeur handed his role and responsibilities over to Lewis, a strong endorsement from Sanders.
Lewis checked in as the No. 1 QB on CFN’s 2025 QB Rankings. His high school football performances have been incredible as he’s thrown for over 10,000 yards with 136 touchdowns and 18 interceptions.
Whether he can fill Shedeur’s shoes remains to be seen, but for now, he seems like just the guy to do it.
QB Kaidon Salter’s Colorado Commitment May Pose Problems for Lewis
Coach Prime has repeatedly told the media that he plans to hit the portal hard, and so far, he’s kept to his word. Salter has committed to the Buffs, and his talent and experience have Colorado fans excited for the next season.
However, Lewis might not be as excited about the news. Lewis has made it clear that he intends to start playing immediately, not wanting to spend a moment on the bench. But with Salter joining the team, he might not get as much time on the field as he expects.
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Salter is a proven starter, with the skills and experience to take over the offense immediately. If Coach Prime decides to name Salter as the starting QB for next year, Lewis will be on the bench for the time being.
Regardless, Salter only has a year of eligibility left, so ‘JuJu’ won’t have to wait long. Taking things slow next year will afford him the time to develop his skills and put on size. Either way, Coach Prime will go with the decision he feels is best.
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