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 reneged on his commitment to USC and picked the Buffaloes before the start of the early signing period for recruits on Dec. 4.
Lewis made the announcement on the Pat McAfee Show.
‘Of course, 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 getting put into this position coming 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 university community in Boulder embraced Lewis during his visits to the school, practically begging him to play for the Buffaloes. The Sink restaurant on university hill near campus even crafted a 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 expected to be a top draft 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 only three passes in the first 10 games of the season in 2024.
If the Buffs hadn’t landed Lewis, they likely would have shopped for a quarterback in the transfer portal.
Lewis said on the show he will enroll at Colorado in January.
‘Coach Prime’s always said the best man’s gonna 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 wouldn’t have much fun sitting on the bench.’
Lewis becomes the latest big fish reeled in by Sanders, who previously brought in the nation’s top offensive line recruit (Jordan Seaton), top cornerback (Cormani McClain) and No. 1 overall recruit from 2022 (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) Saturday at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City.
Follow reporter Brent Schrotenboer @Schrotenboer. Email: bschrotenb@usatoday.com