A months-long recruitment finally concluded, live on the Pat McAfee Show Thursday afternoon. Five-star QB Julian Lewis, considered one of the top signal-callers in the country, wrapped up his recruitment following his de-commitment from the USC Trojans.
Now, Coach Prime’s squad gets the superstar.
Julian Lewis Commits to Colorado On Pat McAfee Show
Lewis had previously committed to Lincoln Riley and USC in August of 2023 but maintained contact with several other programs throughout the process. Primarily because of the logistics of cross-country visits, the star QB has visited teams like the Georgia Bulldogs and Alabama Crimson Tide far more often than USC.
It was evident that Lewis wasn’t likely to stick with his initial commitment to the Trojans, but where he’d end up had its ebbs and flows. While a few SEC schools took turns in the lead, two new challengers entered the fold near the beginning of the season, throwing another wrinkle into a strange recruitment.
One of those, Deion Sanders’ Colorado Buffaloes, ultimately won out, thanks to some serious recruiting efforts from future first-round pick Shedeur Sanders.
Lewis first visited Boulder, Colo., in the summer, but at the time, it wasn’t considered significant. As the Buffaloes’ play on the field began to match the program’s offseason hype, however, Lewis’ interest became more real.
In recent weeks, industry sources indicated that the Buffaloes could be the team to beat. And on Thursday, November 21, Lewis made it official by committing live on the Pat McAfee Show to the Buffaloes.
What Julian Lewis’ Commitment Means for the Buffaloes
What does Lewis’ commitment mean to Sanders and the Buffaloes?
Lewis is, in my opinion, clearly the top quarterback in the 2025 class. A modern “point guard” type of passer, he has drawn comparisons to guys like Baker Mayfield. At Colorado, he’ll be expected to operate much more “in-phase” than Sanders has done under center in recent seasons.
It’s too early to tell what the quarterback situation will look like in 2025, but it would not surprise me to see Lewis compete for the starting job next season in Boulder. His game should translate quickly to the next level, as he’s decisive and accurate.
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But while Lewis is a huge on-field win for the Buffaloes, he’s an even bigger win for the culture. I’m one of many people who have tried to take a measured approach to the Deion Sanders Show in Boulder. I tried not to get too low on the Buffaloes in Year 1, and while I recognize their success this season, I’ve reminded people that the real test is whether Sanders can have success in a post-Shedeur world.
Lewis’ commitment signals that Colorado is here to stay. It shows that Sanders isn’t just there to prop up his son but that he’s there to win.
If Sanders can continue to recruit at an elite level after the Travis Hunter-Shedeur Sanders era, Colorado will be a contender for years to come.
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