It wasn’t long ago that five-star phenom Julian “JuJu” Lewis rolled into town, greeted like royalty. Fans were chanting, and they even slapped his name on a burger. And there was Shedeur Sanders himself, all smiles, seemingly passing the torch to the next QB in line. They even did that symbolic poster thing, Shedeur handing JuJu a key—maybe to the locker room, maybe to the QB throne, who knows? This one, straight out of Carrollton, made that bold move, flipping from USC to CU back in November. And with Shedeur now NFL-bound, the stage is set for JuJu to shine. This isn’t just about Friday night lights and college glory; he’s got the kind of talent that could translate into some serious money down the road.

But while the perks of being Colorado’s QB are tempting, Julian Lewis remains focused on what truly matters—his NFL future. “College is not the final goal. We all want to get to the league. There’s no reason to settle for the zero standard. The league is the goal. Zero money isn’t NFL money,” said the freshman QB. Look, though the college spotlight promises financial rewards similar to Shedeur’s $6.5 M haul, Lewis is all about the long game. He’s not here just for college success; it’s the NFL he’s aiming for. And today, Lewis offered a shake-up with a spring update, hinting at big things to come….

Buffs fans, mark your calendars for April 18th and 19th! You get a chance to celebrate football and snag a first look at Colorado’s rising star QB, Julian Lewis. This isn’t just your average fan event; they’re dropping a limited-edition apparel collection, and get this—every purchase puts you in the running to win either an autographed Julian Lewis helmet or a swanky one-night stay at the St. Julien Hotel & Spa. So yeah, you probably don’t want to miss this unique spring pop-up happening at 900 Walnut St. And you know who’s hyped? Shedeur Sanders himself. He gave his stamp of approval loud and clear, reposting Julian Lewis’ spring pop-up deets on his Insta story with a short but sweet “@julianlewis 10 pullin up.” Two words that say a whole lot, right? It’s clear as day—the future of Colorado football is rolling into the spotlight, and Sanders is fully on board with his successor.

Lewis is juggling more than just classes in his first semester at CU. At just 17, he’s already locked in a fierce battle with veteran Kaidon Salter for the QB1 job. While the pressure is real, Lewis isn’t just any freshman—he’s one of the highest-rated signees in program history. And with Shedeur leaving behind a legacy of shattered records, whoever wins the job won’t just be taking snaps—they’ll be stepping into massive shoes.

Considering he reclassified from 2026 to 2025, Julian Lewis made a lasting impression in his shortened high school career. His resume speaks volumes: two consecutive Gatorade Georgia Football Player of the Year awards and a staggering 11,010 passing yards with 144 touchdowns. However, fame and wealth are not the main priorities for Lewis. Because he’s pursuing a legacy, not a paycheck, despite the NIL attention.

Top priority for Julian Lewis

Julian Lewis has understood early on that staying focused is key to reaching the NFL. And in a recent appearance on The Pivot podcast, he revealed his mature approach to managing distractions—especially when it comes to money. Lewis made it clear that finances aren’t his concern right now. “Yeah, no, I don’t control any of my money. I don’t touch it. I don’t talk about it. My dad, David, from Athlete First, pretty much handles all of my finances,” said Lewis.

Even though NIL deals could bring in some serious cash right now, Julian Lewis is playing the long game, letting the pros handle the business side so he can laser-focus on winning. This 17-year-old already gets the power of his name, though. With his brand growing and his image on point, he’s already sitting on an NIL valuation of $1.1 million. Big players like Jaxxon, Leaf Trading Cards, Alo Yoga, and even Travis Scott’s Cactus Jack are already in his corner, so yeah, the hype is real, and the endorsements are rolling in.

But for Lewis, it’s not about cashing in. “I feel lucky to be a part of the NIL era, but it’s not something that matters that much to me,” said the freshman QB. As of now, his focus isn’t on quick money—it’s on sharpening his game. Honestly, the NFL is the goal, and everything else is just noise for him.