The scoreboard said 52-17. The vibe said rock bottom. As Arizona strutted out of Boulder with another blowout win, Deion Sanders‘ Colorado looked out of answers again. Two straight weeks of getting manhandled, two consecutive weeks of searching for a spark. But just when it felt like the lights were dimming on the Buffs’ season, a flicker of hope appeared on the sideline, and his name was Julian Lewis.

After nine turbulent weeks and four QBs, Deion Sanders is making the move that could define Colorado’s future. On November 2, that flicker turned into a full-blown buzz after Matt Zenitz of CBS Sports dropped a report on X: “Colorado is currently expected to make a QB change and start freshman Julian Lewis vs. West Virginia this weekend, sources tell @CBSSports.”

Once a top-50 national recruit in the Class of 2025, the freshman phenom had been carefully tucked away by his coach. However, this time, the wait might finally be over. If Saturday’s game was any preview, Buff Nation has plenty to be excited about.

When Julian Lewis entered the game midway through the third quarter, the Buffs had already been buried under the Wildcats’ offensive avalanche. Still, the kid brought energy to a lifeless field. His first few throws were calm and confident. Then came the one that made fans forget the score. A 59-yard missile downfield to Omarion Miller, perfectly in stride, for Colorado’s lone highlight of the night. 

Julian Lewis’s poise was undeniable. The arm talent was even better. He finished 9-of-17 for 121 yards and a touchdown, numbers that won’t light up the stat sheet but spoke volumes in context. For a program gasping for life, his confidence was oxygen. It was a signal that maybe, just maybe, the rebuild still has hope. But as always with Deion Sanders, there’s a method to the madness.

Deion Sanders reveals his protective father spirit for Julian Lewis 

This desperate move came after Deion Sanders’ protective stance for Julian Lewis. After the loss, the Buffs HC didn’t talk like a man desperate for wins. He spoke like a father guarding his son. “Sometimes you want guys to just throw somebody out there, so you can see him,” Sanders said. “I’m more protective as a father spirit, as an athlete spirit, as a guy who knows this game. I gotta protect him. I can’t throw him out there and he’s not fully ready, and now you jump all over him, and now we in a mental health situation.” That’s perspective. 

Deion Sanders knows what pressure can do to a young QB, especially in today’s media circus. Julian Lewis may be gifted, but he’s still a freshman navigating a broken offensive line and a locker room in transition. One terrible game could twist confidence into doubt. Still, the HC knows development doesn’t happen from the bench. “He’s a worker,” he added.

“He’s going to try his best to get it done. But I’m glad we got to that conclusion.” And if the QB carousel keeps spinning the way it has, the freshman will get more chances to prove it before the season’s over.

The future is knocking loudly in Boulder. Deion Sanders may be cautious, but time won’t wait forever. As the Buffaloes limp toward the finish line, one question now echoes through the Flatirons. Is Julian Lewis the spark that reignites the Prime Era?