TL;DR
- Colorado coach Deion Sanders confirmed QB Julian Lewis will redshirt final game.
- Lewis, a five-star recruit, played in four games, exceeding the limit for redshirt.
- Kaidon Salter will start at quarterback, with Ryan Staub as backup.
- Lewis expressed commitment to Colorado, stating "I'm a Buff through and through."
Colorado head coach Deion Sanders confirmed on Tuesday that true freshman quarterback Julian Lewis will sit out the final regular season game to preserve his redshirt status.
Last offseason, Sanders secured Lewis, a five-star recruit previously committed to USC. With Shedeur Sanders's departure, Lewis was anticipated to be the starting quarterback. Nevertheless, toward the end of the recruitment period, Sanders added Kaidon Salter from Liberty via the transfer portal.
Lewis and Salter vied for the starting position. Salter ultimately secured the role during camp. Following several subpar performances, Salter was eventually benched in favor of veteran backup Ryan Staub.
The squad anticipated a brief period of quarterback rotation leading up to the November 1st game in Arizona.St. In three games Lewis has registered 589 yards passing on 55.3% and four touchdowns to no interceptions.
Lewis participated in four contests, the limit before forfeiting his redshirt. Colorado dropped three of those four games where Lewis was the starter. Despite Lewis's commendable performance, particularly versus West Virginia, the sole victory he was part of occurred during a decisive win against Delaware State, marking their inaugural year as an FBS entity.
Sanders' remarks concerning Lewis were made during his press conference on Tuesday.
“I've made a decision that Juju is going to red shirt,” Sanders said. “That's my decision. I want what's best for the kid, what's best for his family, what's best for this wonderful university that has given me the tremendous opportunity and given him opportunity. I think for the program its best for everyone, but mainly it's great for him.”
Sanders would go on to add context to that decision. “So, I'm not going to say he was happy because he's a competitor. He wants to compete. He wants to play. So, Kaidon Salter would start this week. Staub would be the backup there for unless something crazy happens, an injury or whatever in practice. But that's where we're going. He wants to compete, and I love him for it. He really does. So, that's on me.”
Lewis was asked on Tuesday about his future with the program. He all but completely closed the door on the idea he might consider entering the transfer portal. "I'm a Buff through and through" Lewis said. "I've got my crib out here; all my guys are out here. I've got no reason to go."
Colorado concludes a challenging season with a trip to Kansas State. Although Colorado isn't vying for a bowl game and isn't a contender in the Big 12, it appears there's not much at stake. Nevertheless, a victory against Kansas State would match Colorado's 2023 win total. Conversely, a loss would mark 2025 as the poorest record under Sanders' tenure at Colorado.
Colorado at Kansas State kicks off at Noon ET and will broadcast on FS1.
More college football news:
- Deion Sanders buyout, contract details as Colorado Buffaloes coach
- Ole Miss reportedly gives Lane Kiffin an ultimatum as family visits Florida and LSU
- Virginia Tech reportedly funding roster near top of ACC for James Franklin
- Bill Belichick goes viral for awkward handshake after Wake Forest loss
- Texas state trooper reportedly relieved of duties after player exchange at Texas A&M