"LMAOOOOO this just sad man": Colorado fans react to QB signee Julian Lewis' NIL funding plea for the Buffaloes 

Colorado Buffaloes quarterback signee Julian Lewis recently turned heads with his public appeal for more NIL funding. Taking to X, Lewis shared a light-hearted message directed at Colorado fans, writing:

“Hey CU fans, we need a few more Christmas gifts.”

Fanstake allows fans to invest directly in athletes, particularly focusing on Colorado's transfer prospects. Highlighted players include NC State’s Kevin Concepcion and Washington State’s Ethan O’Connor.

Fans can "stake" money to bolster these athletes' NIL offers, which only materialize if the player commits to Colorado. Adding to the stakes, CU matches fan contributions up to $100 to incentivize participation.

Lewis’ appeal, however, sparked a wave of mixed reactions online. Some fans expressed humor at the situation, with one posting:

“LMAOOOOO this just sad man😭😭😭.”

Others voiced skepticism about the program’s finances, with one commenting:

“I thought CU had plenty of NIL funding … At least 20-30 mil! How?”

Here is how other fans expressed their reactions:

"All these kids knowingly volunteering to play in a careers worth of Alamo bowls lol," a fan quipped.

"QB don’t do this," another quipped.

The Buffaloes’ pursuit of transfer talent includes standout players like Concepcion, a versatile NC State wide receiver with top-10 potential. It also includes O’Connor, a Washington State cornerback who boasts four interceptions this season, including a game-winning pick-six.

Despite the plea for funding, Colorado continues to make strides in recruitment. Recent commitments include Tawfiq Byard, a freshman safety from South Florida praised for his instincts, and key additions like Jeheim Oatis, Kaidon Salter, Makari Vickers and Aki Ogunbiyi.

Colorado’s Julian Lewis joins scout team to prep for Alamo Bowl

Julian, a five-star quarterback and one of the most promising recruits in the 2025 class, is set to be a key part of Colorado’s preparation for the Alamo Bowl against BYU on Dec. 28.

Julian Lewis is ranked as the nation’s No. 2 quarterback and has already amassed an eye-popping 11,010 passing yards and 144 touchdowns in three high school seasons. This has earned him comparisons to elite college players.

Colorado head coach Deion Sanders shared his enthusiasm about Julian Lewis on the latest episode of "Coach Prime’s Playbook."

"Tremendous. Not only that, we are going to put his butt on that scout team and let him run against the 1s (starters)," Sanders told Bean. "We're going to see if you flinch. We're gonna see what you got. That young man (Lewis) is phenomenal, what he's done in high school football."

Julian Lewis will have the chance to lead the scout offense, testing himself against the Buffaloes' starting defense during bowl prep practices.

While Liberty transfer Kaidon Salter, who has tallied nearly 8,000 yards and 77 touchdowns in two seasons, is expected to start in 2025, Lewis's time to shine as Colorado’s quarterback appears imminent.