"The Buffs had to upgrade their overall talent in the quarterback room": Colorado insider weighs in on Julian Lewis competing for QB1

The Colorado Buffaloes have set the stage for a fierce quarterback competition, as coach Deion Sanders bolsters his roster with Liberty transfer Kaidon Salter and prepares to welcome high school phenom Julian Lewis.

Salter, a seasoned dual-threat quarterback, is expected to take the reins for one season while Lewis develops. Buffs insider Jake Schwanitz explained the rationale behind the team’s moves.

"Julian is very talented, but make no mistake about it. The Buffs had to just upgrade the overall talent in their quarterback room going into this next season," the insider said.

He also added that it would not be wise to solely on Lewis.

"This next year, you don't want to just go in hoping, putting all your chips on Juju, 17 years old, he is kind of a phenom, but that's a very risky spot to be in. So now you kind of just level it out. You have some experience to fall back on. And now you have a quarterback competition," he added.

Julian Lewis had a tough time during the Georgia state championships, struggling against a Rams defense led by five-star defensive end Tyler Atkinson. Lewis was sacked four times, intercepted twice and lost a late fumble.

Salter, meanwhile, brings both experience and versatility to Boulder. During his time with the Flames, he showcased his dual-threat abilities, throwing for nearly 1,900 yards with 15 touchdowns while rushing for 587 yards.

Schwanitz praised Salter’s fit within the Buffaloes’ program.

"He's a perfect fit just in terms of the personality. But Kayden Salter is the perfect fit in terms of the experience, in terms of what he can just do on the football field with that dual threat ability," he said.

Julian Lewis set to begin with Colorado after a stellar high school career

Julian Lewis officially signed with Colorado on December 4 after flipping his commitment from USC. The four-star recruit boasts an impressive list of achievements, including being named the Gatorade Georgia Player of the Year twice, in 2023 and again this year, and earning recognition as a National Player of the Year finalist in 2023.

"He’s everything that we desire in a quarterback," Deion Sanders said of Lewis. "He’s smart, he could throw, make, every throw. He has pocket awareness, pocket presence. He is a darn leader, but most of all, he’s a winner. People forget that category when you look at the quarterback."

As a freshman, Julian Lewis amassed 4,118 passing yards with 48 touchdowns and 12 interceptions, leading his team to a 14-1 record and a state title game appearance.

He followed that with 3,094 yards, 48 touchdowns, and only two interceptions as a sophomore. In his reclassified final season, Lewis threw for 3,465 yards, 46 touchdowns, and five interceptions, while adding two rushing scores.