The Buffaloes’ chances of securing Julian Lewis have surged, and it’s not just due to the warm reception he’s received from the Boulder community. Shedeur Sanders, the star quarterback of the Buffs, is making a strategic move by actively courting the highly sought-after 5-star recruit.

Shedeur Sanders has unveiled a poster that has set the internet ablaze. The image, with the caption “Legendary,” features Shedeur symbolically handing over the keys to his future successor, Julian Lewis. This powerful symbolism hints at Lewis’ potential as the Buffs’ future quarterback.

A recent Life and Football video delves deeper into the poster’s meaning. “It looks like Shedeur has some keys in his hand, and he’s handing them to somebody,” the host excitedly explains. “And that somebody looks a lot like the QB we want!” He notes how the image suggests Lewis accepting the keys – or, symbolically, the starting quarterback’s responsibilities.

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The host elaborates, “This might be a part of the program, but the way this picture is taken… that’s a whole other ball game.” He notes that “Julian Lewis is very smart” and acknowledges his desire for a starting QB role, which he might not get at Auburn or USC.  “JuJu [Lewis]’s got his hand out like ‘hey, get those keys, boys,'” the host stresses again, referencing Lewis’ eagerness. “And Shedeur’s like ‘hey, I’m gonna drop them to you,'” symbolically passing his legacy.

With this intriguing poster, the question on everyone’s mind, as well as the host’s, is: “Is he really locked in with us?” While we wait for Lewis’ final decision in a few months, it’s clear that the starting role isn’t the only thing drawing him to Colorado. There might be something more at play. 

Is Julian Lewis eyeing lucrative NIL deals in Colorado?

Julian Lewis’ potential landing with the Buffaloes isn’t just about next year’s starting quarterback role. Looks like lucrative NIL deals are also a major factor. Both Shedeur Sanders, with a projected NIL value of $4.6 million, and the two-way star Travis Hunter, worth $2.7 million, are leaving for the NFL draft in 2025, creating a significant void in NIL earnings for Colorado.

While Julian Lewis may not step into the same lucrative NIL deals as his predecessors, the opportunity is undeniably alluring. His 5-star status and growing popularity could potentially surpass Shedeur’s NIL value. Jacob Pauly in his recent podcast highlighted this, saying: “CU gives so much notoriety and fame and NIL follows after you.” Moreover, Lewis himself hinted at this during an interview with SI, expressing his preference for “playing the long game with NIL opportunities.” This is a clear indication that the Buffs’ NIL potential will also play a significant role in the star quarterback’s decision.