Carrollton (Ga.) High quarterback Julian Lewis was committed to USC since Aug. 22, 2023. However, after a long recruitment that included plenty of twists and turns, he decommitted Nov. 17 while Trojans coach Lincoln Riley and company flipped Corona (Calif.) Centennial five-star quarterback Husan Longstreet from Texas A&M.
Lewis has since found his new home. After considering offers from the likes of Auburn, Indiana and Georgia down the stretch, he committed to Colorado and announced his decision Thursday on The Pat McAfee Show.
“Of course it was big for me, just coming in after (quarterback) Shedeur (Sanders), just seeing what he’s done to Colorado and what he’s turned it into,” Lewis said. “It’s definitely a blessing, getting put in this position, coming after him and his dad (coach Deion Sanders). I couldn’t beat it.”
Deion Sanders, offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur, director of player personnel Corey Phillips and assistant director of player personnel Devin Rispress all played massive roles in securing the 6-foot-1, 185-pounder.
“Coach Prime’s always said the best man’s going to play, and that’s really what I wanted — to be able to come in and compete, start as a freshman,” Lewis said. “I wouldn’t have much fun sitting on the bench, so I want to come in somewhere I can get a chance to play. So he’s going to let me compete for that. That was big for me.”
247Sports ranks Lewis, who reclassified to 2025 after debuting as the 2026 Top247’s No. 1 overall prospect, among the senior cycle’s Top247 recruits. He’s No. 115 overall, No. 9 among quarterbacks nationally and No. 14 in Georgia.
“This is a guy that we’ve been studying for a long time,” said 247Sports national scouting analyst Cooper Petagna. “We’ve had a lot of live exposure to him. You go back to last year in Atlanta on the UA Next circuit, Elite 11 Regionals, Elite 11 Finals — we’ve seen a lot in person. The mental makeup, just in terms of what you expect a guy to be able to handle the transition to college, I think he’s going to be in a really good spot.”
The industry-generated 247Sports Composite puts Lewis at a four-star rating while ranking 34th overall, sixth among quarterbacks and sixth in Georgia.
Lewis was the 2023 MaxPreps National Sophomore of the Year. He was a finalist for the Gatorade National Player of the Year after winning the award in Georgia.
As a sophomore during the 2023 season, Lewis completed 186 of 280 passes (66.4%) for 3,094 yards and 48 touchdowns to two interceptions, according to MaxPreps. He led Carrollton to a 14-1 record, which included an appearance in the Peach State’s 7A title game.
As of this past week, Lewis has surpassed 10,000 career passing yards. It’s an incredible feat for the Peach State standout. Heading into last week’s win and moving to 11-0 on the season, Lewis had completed nearly 78% of his passes for 2,549 yards, 40 touchdowns, and only four interceptions. He also has two rushing scores.
Relationships matter in this industry, and it’s clear that Colorado developed a great connection with Lewis. It laid out a great plan for his future in Boulder, the program put together a strong NIL package and, in the end, he found a home with the Buffaloes.
One tipping point, according to sources, is that the path is clear for Lewis to get a great opportunity at starting in Year 1 at Colorado. Shedeur Sanders will be off to the NFL, and there is an opening for QB1. Lewis, depending on what the Buffaloes do in the transfer portal, could be the guy immediately upon arrival.
The Crystal Ball went in for Colorado to land Lewis Nov. 10. With the expectation remaining the same since February that Lewis was not going to end up at USC, all signs pointed toward the Buffaloes once Lewis and Indiana — which also recruited him heavily — parted ways. Despite a trip to Georgia to take in the Nov. 16 game with Tennessee, there was no wavering on this pick. The feeling was that he would eventually land at Colorado.
Going back even further, there was once a point where Auburn was set to land him. Before the Tigers moved on Deuce Knight and flipped him from Notre Dame, Auburn and Lewis nearly got on the same page and a commitment nearly occurred.
Things didn’t cross the finish line, which opened the door once again for Indiana and Colorado. After things fell through with the Hoosiers, the Buffaloes stepped up and the door was open between the Buffaloes and their top priority this cycle.
In early November, I said on the 247Sports College Football Recruiting Show that things were heating up between the Buffaloes and Lewis.
“Yeah, that (Indiana) trip is off,” I mentioned on the show. “It was basically up in the air the entire time, all week long. And even talking to Matt Weaver over at our IU site, he was kind of with me, like, we don’t know if it’s gonna happen, but Indiana expected him. They were hopeful, but obviously, plans changed. At this point, I would say that this probably ends the recruitment between Indiana and Julian Lewis.
“So at that point, all signs point towards Colorado and obviously the committed school, USC,” I continued. “I think my best guess, and I said this when I first started in this role, and it was me, Andrew Ivins and Emily Proud on the desk, I said, I’m going to call my shot and make it very clear that I do not expect Julian Lewis to end up at USC. Honestly, at this point, I still feel that way.
“For a while it was Auburn, then it became Indiana, now all signs point toward Colorado as the school that is most likely the team to beat, that’s likely gonna flip him,” I mentioned, as we wrapped up the segment. “I feel like I could actually toss in a prediction for Colorado at this point. I’m not ready yet, but man, I’m really close.”
Well, a few days later, the pick went in and he’s now on the Colorado commit list.
So, what does Lewis bring the Buffaloes? Below is the general evaluation by Ivins.
“Quarterback protege that exits high school with over 10,000 career passing yards despite reclassifying and forgoing his senior season,” Ivins wrote. “Lacks elite physical traits, but is an elite distributor of the football with his quick release and advanced mechanics that picked apart defenses in the Peach State’s highest classification. Frequently in sync and in tune with his wide receivers as he excels at throwing with pace and precision to the first and second levels. Has continued to progress as a full-field reader over the years and is the type of young signal caller that will work through his keys and reads while looking off defenders.
“Can sense pressure and slip away from sacks, but shouldn’t exactly be viewed as a dynamic athlete that’s going to amplify a run game. Capable of connecting on some deep shots, but prep spray chart is painted with horizontal tosses and camp evaluations suggest he can keep improving as a vertical passer. Overall, projects as a new-age point guard that can push the tempo in a modern spread attack with his pin-point accuracy and savvy decision making. Smaller stature is not ideal, but has the skills and confidence to win games on Saturdays — and potentially right away.”
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