They got to be following each other on social media or be friends cause no way, that’s a coincidence. I mean, what were the odds?

When Deion Sanders talked about flipping the script for Colorado Buffs, he probably didn’t expect his recruits to start writing chapters together this soon. But it seems the bond between Julian Lewis, the five-star quarterback sensation, and London Merritt, the IMG Academy defensive standout, is already taking flight—literally and figuratively. Their camaraderie is the kind that makes you wonder if the stars aligned or if Sanders is just that good at picking players who connect on and off the field.

The two future Buffs recently gave fans a glimpse of their budding alliance in a way that only Gen Z athletes could. Both Julian Lewis and Merritt posted eerily similar Instagram stories while traveling to Colorado. Lewis, fresh off a strong (albeit bittersweet) season at Carrollton High, captioned his photo, “Almost Home 🦬🦬.” Hours later, Merritt, who’s been turning heads at IMG Academy, mirrored the sentiment with his own post: “Almost Home,” from Denver International Airport. Different flights, same energy. Coincidence? Maybe. But if you’re a Buffs fan, it feels like fate

This connection might seem like a quirky social media moment, but it speaks volumes about the culture Deion Sanders is building. Lewis and Merritt represent the dual pillars of Colorado’s future—a powerhouse offense led by a generational quarterback and a defense anchored by a versatile lineman capable of disrupting any scheme. Merritt, who’s 6-foot-3, 250 pounds, and ranked No. 5 among defensive ends in ESPN’s 2025 rankings, is exactly the type of player Sanders needs to shore up a defense that’s been a sore spot for the program. Meanwhile, Lewis arrives with sky-high expectations and a thumb injury that serves as a small bump in what looks to be a long and storied career.

As these two prepare to officially don the black and gold, fans are already salivating at the idea of what their partnership could mean. Lewis has the kind of arm talent that makes defensive backs second-guess their life choices, while Merritt’s versatility allows him to wreak havoc in multiple roles. No. 55 is capable of playing as a power end in a 3-4 or transitioning into a 3-technique role. Add to that Lewis’s ability to feather the fine line between risk and reward, and it’s clear these two are bringing more than just Instagram buzz to Boulder.

The immediate question is whether they’ll see the field together for the first time in the Alamo Bowl against No. 20 BYU, next Saturday. While it’s a tantalizing possibility, it’s also a bit of a reach. Lewis is still nursing his thumb, and throwing him into a bowl game with who Deion Sanders has already cleared that both his Heismanic superstars (one being the literal winner) will play their last game cement their legacy in Boulder. The 17-year-old Georgia State championship finalist have to fight for his right with Senior signee Kaidon Salter, waiting in the wings to complicate things. For now, the Buffs seem content to let the duo settle in and build chemistry for what could be a transformative 2025 season.

What’s undeniable is that this early camaraderie, whether it’s forged on social media or solidified in the locker room, bodes well for Colorado’s future. Just one slight issue.

In comes London Merritt, out goes 167 tackles Safety for Buffs

That’s is nature where, someone comes, other leave. A sad yet unstoppable cycle. With the galvanization of Julian Lewis and the elite DE, Colorado football is saying goodbye to a key piece of their defense. Veteran safety Trevor Woods has entered the transfer portal, according to Pete Nakos of On3 Sports. Woods has been a steady force for the Buffaloes, racking up 167 career tackles, seven pass deflections, three forced fumbles, and three interceptions during his time in Boulder. Talk about a resume!

Unfortunately, injuries limited Woods to just four games during his senior year. And with other Coach Prime’s self-claimed favorite child, Shilo Sanders stepping into the spotlight at safety, Woods’ presence flew under the radar a bit. But don’t let that overshadow what he’s accomplished. Remember his sophomore season? Woods led the entire Pac-12 with 65 solo tackles. For a safety, that’s some elite-level work.

Things like these will continue but, these Buffs fans won’t get this opportunity to welcome these bunch of elite recruits everyday. The dawn of the Buffs is well and truly about to begin.