For this season, the Colorado Buffaloes live by only one mantra- protection for QB is the key to success. As much as Deion Sanders is concerned about safeguarding his son Shedeur, Coach Prime’s far-sightedness has hit the 2025 roster as well. Now, in case their Julian “JuJu” Lewis dream comes true, they have taken precautions and the Buffaloes have landed the massive Michigan prospect and OT, Jay Gardenhire, on June 26.

Lewis will no longer be in two minds as now the Buffs O-Line looks enticing. Not only Gardenhire, but Colorado got lucky to land another big name to bolster the O-Line.

Deion Sanders’ attempt to gain Lewis’ trust by landing Gardenhire

Right from the beginning, things seemed to look good for the offensive tackle from West Bloomfield High as he received a scholarship offer after his two-day unofficial visit to Boulder. The towering  6-foot-8, 350-pound OT was too enthusiastic about joining Deion Sanders’ program. The Buffs made use of this energy and ensured to recruit him without wasting much time. As revealed by the OT himself, “Colorado recruited me like I was a top priority”. Wondering who instilled the desire to join Buffaloes in Gardenhire? It’s none other than Colorado signee Brandon Davis-Swain. Will this commitment come off as an assurance for the five-star QB who is yet to give his word to Deion Sanders? 

The only mental roadblock that Lewis might face before committing to Colorado is the program’s poor 4-8 record last season and Shedeur emerging as the most sacked player. But he no longer can question the Buffs’ protection, as a strong O-Line is in the making, only and only in honor of their favorite JuJu. Lucky guy, isn’t he? Since, earlier, Deion came this far only for his son, Shedeur.  

Will Lewis get the same treatment as Shedeur?

This season marking the last lap of Shedeur’s college football journey, Coach Prime came up with a master plan to keep his son out of harm’s way under any circumstances. Hence, he loaded the new offensive line with big shots and five-star recruits like Jordan Seaton, Tyler Johnson, and Justin Mayers. But hardly did anyone expect Deion to be a big spender for Lewis.

Before landing Gardenhire, Colorado’s 2025 recruiting class gained a cornerstone as four-star OL, Chauncey Gooden committed to the Buffaloes on June 24. At 6-foot-4 and 360 pounds, he is ranked as the tenth-best offensive lineman and the No. 3 overall prospect. This makes Gooden the highest-ranked commit, so far in Deion’s program for the 2025 cycle. The Under Armour Next Camp in Nashville witnessed what the OL is capable of and his electrifying attack on the field earned him a new name, ‘Alpha Dog’.  

As per Jake Shapiro from Denver Sports, if Deion Sanders pulls out this strategic coup, Gardenhire and Gooden will be enough to attract other big-time recruits. In case Coach Prime turns this recruiting game into one big domino effect, chances reign high for Julian Lewis to fall prey to such temptations and commit himself to Boulder. Such a mastermind Coach Prime is!