Deion Sanders, never one to shy away from a full plate, finds himself juggling a fresh batch of quarterback conundrums. Already he is in a dilemma as he sees his son Shedeur’s NFL Draft stocks falling with every passing day. From No.6 to No.22 pick, we don’t know what the future has on hold for the Buffs QB. However, so far, Coach Prime looked pretty sorted about the post-Shedeur era.

After all, his intense pursuit of Julian “JuJu” Lewis resulted in a big win, landing the 5-star recruit. But it looks like Lewis will still have to wait for some time. Right now, Kaidon Salter enters the QB conversation. However, Lewis’ recent achievement complicates the Lewis-Salter plot.

Julian Lewis’ big moment amidst losing his glitz and glamor 

Now, this is a plot twist that no one expected coming. After all, what hasn’t Deion done for their favorite JuJu? From making their superfan, 101-year-old Peggy Coppom, come with a sweet message to naming their famous joint’s burger after Lewis, the Buffs HC might have also brought the moon for Lewis. He boldly proclaimed and believed, “He’s everything that we desire in a quarterback.” So, it was obvious that the Carrollton High School star would be the one to be filling Shedeur’s shoes. But that’s not the case. Deion moved quickly to replace Shedeur by acquiring the former Liberty Flames quarterback, Salter, from the portal. Was this a wrong move by the Buffs HC? Well, we don’t know that yet. But as Lewis got a new award, Coach Prime might be caught up with some FOMO feels.

Lewis shared a screenshot of the NFL legend Josh Booty’s IG story. It showed him holding the trophy and posing with the former Cleveland Browns quarterback. Booty’s caption said it all. It read, “@alliantinsurance & I are proud to award National HS QB of the year to my boy @julianlewis10.” Looks like JuJu was part of the National Quarterback Club that inducted Marlin Briscoe, Carson Palmer, and Steve Spurrier into their hall of fame on Feb. 28. While Lewis received the high school QB award, Bryson Daily won the college QB award. The Pro League award went to Jayden Daniels. Now, what is this award for?

According to their website, the club aims to “recognize outstanding athletes for their qualities and achievements on and off the playing field and serve as a model for comprehensive excellence in athletic achievement, academic success, and greater social affinity.” Throwing for 7,000 yards and 96 touchdowns over 2 seasons at Carrollton High School? Well, there’s no doubt that JuJu got this. While he might be in the limelight for now, he is slowly getting off the track in Boulder. So, this calls for some big Lewis vs. Salter debate.

Julian Lewis vs. Kaidon Salter, a tug-of-war for QB1

Going by JuJu’s photoshoot, it was clear that Shedeur had passed the baton to the high school star. While he remained seated on the Buffs’ throne, Deion’s son handed him the keys. But it’s time for some reality check. As analyst David Ubben on the Until Saturday podcast leaned on Salter’s side more. “You bring in Kaidon Salter, who I think is really a guy that fits your offense well, can be sort of steadying.” Now gone are the days when it seemed Lewis would have everything served on a silver platter as Buffs QB1. 

He will now have to fight for the role with the QB, who started 29 games for the Flames and earned Conference USA MVP honors in 2023. Now will that be an easy fight? Um, maybe or maybe not. After all, Salter has rushed for 1,676 yards since 2023, becoming the second among FBS quarterbacks. It’s an absolute tightrope situation for Deion Sanders. It seems Salter will be a bridge, aka mentor QB, for the freshman Lewis, as per his plans. But is that plan set in stone?

Now who better than Buffs insider Kevin Borba to throw light on the current situation?

On the Locked on Buffs podcast, he stated, “So you have a really interesting debacle because I think a lot of people instantly go, ‘Hey, if Julian doesn’t start right away, he’s going to leave the program,’ or ‘Hey, if Kaidon…if he’s not the number one guy coming out spring, he’s going to leave the program.”

He too believes that Kaidon Salter has proven himself more as he has played at the college level. And what about Julian Lewis? “Julian Lewis has absolutely shredded the high school ring…he’s clearly much more of a pocket passer and clearly he’s a good one at that at the high school level,” stated Borba. And with that, it’s Salter’s turn to deliver. He’s made it clear with a 7-word vow: “It’s time for me to come in.” Now Boulder finds itself in a double bind. Shedeur Sanders is off to the NFL, and now Colorado is left to navigate a full-blown quarterback dilemma.