Deion Sanders is the OG of bling and flash. As “Prime Time,” the Hall-of-Famer redefined style, swagger, and spectacle at every level he touched—from NFL CB to Jackson State revivalist to the face of Boulder’s football renaissance. And now, as Coach Prime, he’s once again the architect of a moment bigger than the game. Last year, his son, Shedeur Sanders, lit up Folsom Field and the college football world, but with Shedeur headed to the NFL Draft, the show must go on. The spotlight now turns to 17YO five-star freshman Julian Lewis, who isn’t old enough to rent a car but just might own the road ahead.

Julian “JuJu” Lewis, the QB from Carrollton, Georgia, hasn’t played a single snap in the FBS yet, but his presence already echoes through Boulder like a siren. Fans aren’t just hopeful—they’re hooked. At the Black and Gold spring game, the youngest face in the QB room became the loudest name in the stands. As he signed autographs, kids’ chants of “Get us a second daddy,” met with his reply, “the plan,” then shifted to enthusiastic shouts of “You are the best player.” Someone is just enjoying life as a Buffs QB. The university’s social team leaned into the hype too, declaring on X, “Colorado Freshman Quarterback Julian ‘JuJu’ Lewis is already a Fan Favorite.” JuJu’s already achieved what most college QBs only dream of—icon status before the fall.

That rising aura could create a complicated shadow for Kaidon Salter. The veteran QB, who transferred from Liberty after two successful seasons that included back-to-back bowl appearances, now finds himself in an awkward tug-of-war: a seasoned passer with actual college hardware, now battling an electric teenager who hasn’t yet finished unpacking his dorm. During the spring game, both Lewis and Salter rotated snaps under center, neither clearly pulling ahead, but it’s Salter who arrives with the experience edge. He’s more refined in pre-snap reads, understands protection shifts, and can work a pro-style concept with rhythm. Yet, in Boulder, sometimes the louder name beats the louder résumé.

That’s what makes this quarterback battle so compelling—it’s as much about intangibles as it is about tape. Julian Lewis threw for over 11,000 yards in high school, dazzling defenses with anticipation, accuracy, and a maturity well beyond his years. His ball placement and field vision made him a prep sensation, and at just 17, he’s already being discussed as a future 2027 NFL Draft prospect.

But Salter brings what Lewis lacks: real Saturdays under pressure. Despite 1,886 yards and 15 TDs last season, his prior year with Liberty showcased peak performance with 2,876 yards and 32 TDs. If Prime wants a leader who’s been in the fire, Salter’s been charred and sharpened by it.

Colorado Buffs’ 2025 recruiting class isn’t top-20 on paper, but don’t let that fool you—Prime has pieced together a high-ceiling group with immediate impact potential. That’s how he operates: less about stars, more about spark. He finds players who thrive under lights, who walk with a chip on their shoulder, and dance with the moment. Lewis fits that mold, even if the numbers don’t tell the whole story. There’s a method to the madness, and Coach Prime has shown time and again that he’ll lean into momentum over metrics. Shedeur is gone, NIL dollars are flowing like spring snowmelt at the foot of the Flatirons, and a QB duel that’s as much about identity as it is efficiency. Buffs ’25 is cooking something up.

Julian Lewis’ whip, drip, and NIL flex

Five-star freshman Julian Lewis, aka “JuJu,” is already living the dream—and he’s only 17. Most teens are just getting the hang of driving. JuJu? He’s pulling up in a Lamborghini Urus that costs a cool $300K. That’s right—while his classmates are parallel parking in hand-me-downs, JuJu’s rolling up like a boss with “all the swagger in the world” and a $1 million NIL valuation to back it up.

And he’s not just about the ride—JuJu knows how to build a brand. Before Colorado’s spring game on Saturday, the young phenom hosted his first merchandise pop-up at none other than the historic St. Julien Hotel in Boulder. Because why not launch your gear line in a luxury venue at the foot of the Flatirons?

As if that wasn’t enough of a flex, Lewis also debuted his newest accessory: an iced-out Darth Vader chain that had fans and cameras locked in. From his on-field potential to his off-field moves, JuJu is setting the tone for a new era of college football stardom. One thing’s for sure—this season in Boulder is about to be epic, and NIL money? Yeah, it’s flowing like snowmelt in the Rockies.