Julian Lewis, one of the nation’s top QB recruits, commits to Colorado

On November 22, 2024By Littum

Deion Sanders just caught another whale.

Julian “JuJu” Lewis, one of the nation’s top quarterback recruits, announced Thursday that he will play for coach Sanders and his Colorado football team, making him the likely successor to Sanders’ quarterback son, Shedeur, in 2025.

Lewis, who plays for Carrollton High School in Georgia, previously committed to play at Southern California but continued to take recruiting visits to other campuses, including Colorado, Georgia and Indiana. He recently decommitted from USC and chose the Buffaloes before the start of the early signing period for recruits on Dec. 4.

Lewis announced on the Pat McAfee Show.

“Obviously it was big for me just coming in after Shedeur, just seeing what he’s done to Colorado and what he’s turned it into,” Lewis said on the show. “It’s definitely a blessing to be put in this position after him and his dad. I couldn’t beat it.”

Lewis ranks as the nation’s no. 2 pocket passer recruit for 2026, according to ESPN, behind Bryce Underwood, who committed to LSU. The Boulder university community embraced Lewis during his visit to the school and practically begged him to play for the Buffaloes. The Sink restaurant on university hill near campus even made one burger in his honor – a double cheeseburger with shredded lettuce, red onion, bacon and A-1 aioli.

How Julian Lewis fits into Deion Sanders’ plans

His decision answers a big question for the Buffs in 2025: Who will be their starting quarterback after Shedeur?

Shedeur Sanders is projected to be a top pick in the NFL next year after exhausting his college eligibility this season. His backup, Ryan Staub, started one game in Shedeur’s absence in 2023 — a 23-17 loss at Utah — and attempted just three passes in the first 10 games of the 2024 season.

If the Buffs hadn’t landed Lewis, they likely would have shopped for a quarterback on the transfer portal.

Lewis said on the show that he will enroll in Colorado in January.

“Coach Prime always said the best man has to play,” Lewis said of Deion Sanders. “And that’s really what I wanted was to be able to come in and compete and start as a freshman. I didn’t want to have fun sitting on the bench.”

Lewis becomes the latest big fish brought in by Sanders, who previously landed the nation’s top offensive line recruit (Jordan Seaton), top cornerback (Cormani McClain) and the No. 1 overall 2022 recruit (Travis Hunter). McClain has since left the program, while Seaton and Hunter have been keys to CU’s success this year in its quest for the College Football Playoff.

The Buffs (8-2) play Kansas (4-6) on Saturday at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City.

Follow reporter Brent Schrotenboer @Schrotenboer. Email: [email protected]