Julian Lewis has stepped onto campus—and right into the fire. Well, at just 17, he’s juggling college life and a heated QB battle with seasoned vet Kaidon Salter. While the pressure is real, remember, he’s not just any recruit—he’s one of CU Buffs’ highest-rated signees ever. And with Shedeur Sanders leaving behind a legacy of record-breaking numbers, whoever wins this battle has massive shoes to fill. To be honest, for JuJu, it’s all eyes on the throne.

JuJu Lewis might be young, but his resume is stacked. He reclassified early, left Carrollton High with two Gatorade Player of the Year awards, and tossed for over 11,000 yards in just 3 seasons. That’s not hype—that’s history. But Kaidon Salter isn’t backing down. The former Liberty star led the Flames to a 13-1 run in 2023 and took home Conference USA MVP. Sure, 2024 was rocky, but his dual-threat skills still flash elite. And now in Boulder, Pat Shurmur could cook up something dangerous. If Salter returns to 2023 form and the Buffs stack up weapons—even without Travis Hunter—this offense could be scary.

Right now, the QB battle in Boulder is heating up. You know, Julian Lewis brings a polished, pro-style game and serious playmaking juice. Moreover, his arm? Smooth. And his composure is next-level for a 17-year-old. But let’s not forget—he’s still a true freshman. So, the big question: Can he adjust to the speed and physicality of college football, or does he need a year behind Kaidon Salter to develop? Putting all your chips on a freshman is a bold, risky move. But just as things looked tight for Lewis, Salter’s not the only one shaking things up—a Buffs 4-star QB target just lit up the OT7 stage and stole the show.

On April 7, On3 Recruits lit up X with breaking news—Colorado QB target Oscar Rios stole the show at OT7. Well, the Downey, California native made his Overtime’s 7-on-7 debut—and wow, did he deliver? Rios led Team Toa to three huge victories with pinpoint deep throws and impeccable timing. He was really throwing with confidence, hitting receivers perfectly in stride and keeping the energy electric on every drive. Right now, ranked as the No. 14 QB in the nation by On3, Oscar Rios just turned up the heat in CU Buffs’ QB pipeline.

The QB battle at CU is heating up; Julian Lewis vs. Kaidon Salter is the headliner—for now. But fast forward a bit, and things could shift. If Salter heads to the NFL next year, Lewis might not be alone for long. Because if the Buffs get serious about landing Oscar Rios, and he keeps shining like he did at OT7, he could be next in line. But landing Rios won’t be an easy task for the Buffs. Plenty of powerhouse programs are already in the mix—and he’s setting official visits, too. Colorado will have to bring their A-game if they want to stay in the race.

Are the Buffs a frontrunner on Oscar Rios’ list?

Oscar Rios once called Purdue home. He was their first big commitment for the 2026 cycle, locking in last June. But by October 2, he backed off his pledge, reopening his recruitment. Since then, Oklahoma State has jumped into the race, offering him on January 28—and now the Cowboys are gaining serious traction. However, Rios has lined up official visits to Arizona, Colorado, Virginia Tech, Oklahoma State, and Kentucky. You can say the chase for this California star is heating up fast.

Oscar Rios has a busy summer ahead—and Boulder is one of the key stops. According to Blair Angulo of 247Sports, the 2026 standout QB is set to visit CU on June 20. But the Buffs aren’t the only Big 12 squad on his radar. Rios will head to Oklahoma State on April 25, then check out Utah on June 6. So, it’s a packed tour, and the race to land him is far from over.

Oscar Rios put up video-game-esque numbers in his junior year—2,554 passing yards, and 22TDs. But he wasn’t just lethal through the air. On the ground, the 6’3″, 175-pound playmaker racked up 735 rushing yards and 11 scores. So, he is a dual threat, no doubt. And with all that CU’s been through lately, targeting a dynamic talent like Rios makes perfect sense. Could Rios be the Buffs’ next elite star like JuJu, complete with a red carpet welcome, his name on a fast-food menu item, and special chants from superfan Peggy Coppom, making headlines everywhere?