Freshman Quarterback Julian Lewis to Start for Colorado Buffaloes

BOULDER, Colo. — True freshman quarterback Julian Lewis will make his first career start for the Colorado Buffaloes on Saturday against West Virginia. Coach Deion Sanders announced the decision on Tuesday, citing ‘common sense’ as the reason for the change.

Lewis, a five-star recruit from Carrollton, Georgia, takes over after senior transfer Kaidon Salter struggled during a recent 52-17 loss to Arizona. The Buffaloes have lost their last two games by a combined score of 105-24, putting them at 3-6 overall and 1-5 in Big 12 play.

“He’s a young kid. He’s going to make young-kid mistakes, but it’s up to the staff to get him prepared so he can be concise and precise,” Sanders said. “He has to make quick reads and get the ball out when he feels pressure.”

Lewis, 18, previously saw his first extended action in the Arizona game, completing 9 of 17 passes for 121 yards and a touchdown. This performance marked a significant moment in his career, as he joins an exclusive list of true freshmen to start at quarterback for Colorado.

Prior to Lewis, the last true freshman to start was Ryan Staub in the 2023 season finale against Utah. Colorado’s offense, which has struggled throughout the season, ranks near the bottom of the Big 12 in both scoring and total yards.

“We need a spark, and maybe he can provide it,” Sanders said about Lewis, who was highly recruited nationwide after a successful high school career, where he threw for over 11,000 yards.

In his intro as the starter, Lewis has an opportunity to lead a team desperate for improvement and help restore hope amid a tough season. “You’ve got to let them know you’re in command and control,” Sanders added, emphasizing the importance of leadership from the young quarterback.