A Quarterback Battle in Boulder
Much of the buzz around the Colorado Buffaloes’ fall camp has centered on the quarterback battle between senior transfer Kaidon Salter and true freshman Julian “JuJu” Lewis.
While Salter brings valuable experience and leadership, much of the outside attention has gravitated toward Lewis, a 17-year-old phenom whose early arrival in Boulder brought both enormous expectations and national intrigue.
As a five-star recruit and one of the most coveted players in the 2025 class, Lewis flipped his commitment from USC to play for Deion Sanders and the Buffaloes. Now, just days away from his first college football season, his new teammates are already raving about what makes him so impressive.
“A God-Gifted Arm”
Senior wideout Sincere Brown, who has played under multiple coaching staffs and quarterbacks during his career at South Florida and Campbell, didn’t hold back when asked about Lewis.
“Julian has a pure God-gifted arm; his accuracy is out of this world,” Brown said. “He has a lot to learn, but he’s also a young cat coming in, trying to learn the college atmosphere as a whole.”
Scouts and analysts have echoed the same — Lewis’ precision and timing stand out. His ability to deliver passes on time has quickly earned trust, though he still faces the natural growing pains of a 17-year-old adjusting to the college game.
Validation From a Fellow Five-Star
If Brown highlighted Lewis’ mechanics, Florida State transfer Hykeem Williams focused on the freshman’s full skill set.
“I knew before I got here, when I was talking about the freshman quarterback and how he’s so good, and he is that,” Williams said. “He’s actually, he’s that.”
Coming from a former five-star recruit who understands the hype and scrutiny, Williams’ words carry weight. For him, Lewis has already lived up to the reputation that preceded him.
Building Chemistry Off the Field
For sophomore wideout Joseph Williams, Lewis’ impact goes beyond football. The two formed a quick friendship that has already translated to chemistry on the field.
“Me and him, we clicked immediately,” Williams said. “I’m with JuJu almost every day, he’s one of the closest people I’m with right now, so me and him having that bond is really good. Every time I’m on the field, he looks at me, and we know we’re on the same page.”
Such off-field trust often translates into smoother communication during games — an invaluable asset for a freshman navigating the college level.
Colorado’s Next Big Thing?
The Buffaloes enter 2025 with high expectations despite losing stars like quarterback Shedeur Sanders and Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter. Their connection proved how transformative a strong QB-WR duo can be, and Lewis’ arrival hints at the next era.
While Lewis isn’t expected to start when Colorado kicks off the season Aug. 29 at Folsom Field against Georgia Tech, the early praise from veterans underscores his significance.
For a program in transition, Lewis represents both immediate depth and long-term promise. His presence isn’t just reassuring — it could be a defining piece of Colorado’s future.
