When Julian Lewis stepped onto the CU campus, it was like a king arriving at his castle. A “crown jewel” of high school football, this five-star recruit and Gatorade Player of the Year brought more than just his sparkling resume—over 4,000 career passing yards and back-to-back state titles with his high school team. His arrival marks a new era for the Buffaloes, injecting hope and excitement into a QB room that’s been waiting for its moment to shine.

Let’s not sugarcoat it: the Buffs’ last season was a wash, ending with a lackluster 4-8 record. Coach Deion Sanders knew he had to revamp his squad, starting with the trenches. To protect his QB son, Shedeur Sanders, Deion brought in a legion of hefty offensive linemen. And now, one of those hefty 285-pound O-line stars is rallying around CU’s latest sensation, JuJu.

Well, Jordan Seaton has made it his personal mission to safeguard the freshman prodigy. In a video shared by “seensatansports” on YouTube, Seaton declares, “My brother, I got his back. He’s gonna throw the ba-l. I am protecting him—simple and straight.” But JuJu quipped back with a demoralized tone, “Yes, maybe.” If that rubbed Seaton the wrong way, he didn’t show it; instead, he doubled down, promising, “You know I’m gonna protect him.”

This budding camaraderie is what’s fueling a new sense of brotherhood in Boulder. Even Shedeur Sanders, the Buffs’ outgoing QB1, has thrown his weight behind the rookie. In a tweet, Shedeur said, “I’m just being there for him. You know, any question he has, I’m able to answer for him.” That’s leadership in action, folks—a passing of the torch with a side of mentorship.

JuJu officially committed to CU in November 2024, positioning himself as Shedeur’s heir apparent. Following the team’s Valero Alamo Bowl appearance, Lewis shared a heartfelt Instagram post, featuring their jerseys side by side in the locker room. His caption read: “You left huge shoes to fill, but I promise to work to leave @CUBuffsFootball even better than I found it. Forever grateful.” If that doesn’t scream “team player,” what does?

But not everything has been smooth sailing for Julian Lewis. CU found itself in hot water with the NCAA after Deion Sanders mentioned Lewis by name on a school broadcast before he was officially signed. The NCAA’s rules are clear: no hyping recruits until they put pen to paper. Though CU quickly owned up to the minor violation—removing the episode from YouTube and halting future livestreams—it still stirred up a buzz.

And let’s be honest, JuJu isn’t exactly flying under the radar. He’s already become an attention magnet in Boulder, a spotlight that’s both a blessing and a curse.

Will Julian Lewis become QB1?

Here’s the twist—Lewis might not take center stage right away. Enter Kaidon Salter, a dual-threat quarterback transfer from Liberty. Salter isn’t a household name in Power Five circles, but don’t sleep on him. In 2023, he led Liberty to a Conference USA Championship, throwing a record-breaking 32 touchdowns. Over three seasons, he’s racked up more than 2,000 rushing yards and 21 touchdowns on the ground. Translation? This guy can do it all!

An insider at CU predicts, “Me, personally, I see Kaidon winning the quarterback battle initially against Julian Lewis.” And honestly, that’s not a knock on JuJu. At just 18 years old, he’s got time to soak up the game and learn from a seasoned veteran like Salter.

But don’t count Lewis out. With over 4,000 passing yards, 45 touchdowns, and a 70% completion rate in his senior high school season, he’s already proven he’s a generational talent. The QB battle might go to Salter for now, but Lewis is waiting in the wings, sharpening his skills and preparing for his moment.

It’s a classic underdog story in the making: the seasoned veteran versus the bright-eyed rookie. Boulder’s QB issue might just be the most exciting subplot of the Buffs’ 2025 season.