Shedeur Sanders drops 1-word message as Julian Lewis rejects Lincoln Riley's USC to commit to Colorado

Four-star composite quarterback Julian 'JuJu' Lewis has made a hard commitment to Deion Sanders and the Colorado Buffaloes for the Class of 2025. This is a pivotal announcement as the program will look to maintain its quality quarterback play once Shedeur Sanders moves on to the NFL.

Lewis posted his official commitment video on Instagram on Thursday, featuring Shedeur handing him the 'keys' to the program. Shedeur Sanders had one word to use when describing the commitment:

"Legendary".

Sanders' Comment (Credits: @julianlewis10 Instagram)

Lewis is listed at 6-foot-1, 185 pounds and is from Carrollton High School in Carrollton, Georgia. He had offers from every major program under the sun, including Alabama, Michigan, Miami and Clemson, to name a few.

On Nov. 17, Julian Lewis de-committed from Lincoln Riley and the USC Trojans, who have underperformed in recent times. Now, he's set to be the heir to Sanders' throne.

In his 2023 high school season, Lewis threw for 3,094 yards with 48 touchdowns and just two interceptions.

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The Deion Sanders factor in Julian Lewis' commitment

Obviously, anyone who commits to Colorado is really committing to Deion Sanders. And how could you blame them? But there have been increasing rumors about Deion's commitment to stay with Colorado, especially with the inevitable departures of Shedeur and Travis Hunter.

Lewis would have the option to recommit to a different program without losing eligibility, should that happen.

However, Lewis' presence with the program could be a strong indicator for Deion Sanders staying with Colorado, now that he would have his future at quarterback in place. Ideally, Lewis coming to the Buffaloes could attract high-level recruits, especially at the wide receiver position, which will be a position in need of filling after the departures of Hunter and Jimmy Horn.

The Buffaloes are currently set to compete for the Big 12 conference title and have a legitimate shot at the 2024 College Football Playoff in what could be the final year of the Sanders family's tenure.

They are set to take on the Kansas Jayhawks on Saturday, who upset undefeated BYU 17-13 to make the race for the conference more interesting and palatable for Colorado.