Julian Lewis Predicted to Replicate C.J. Stroud and Caleb Williams, Raising Stakes Before Colorado Visit

Julian Lewis is set to add another feather to his cap! This time, the nation’s top-ranked five-star quarterback prospect, who already has a massive 96 touchdowns and 7,212 passing yards under his belt, aims for Elite 11 glory.

Adding to the hype, Lewis is a leading contender for this year’s Elite 11 MVP title. An invitation to participate in this special event, where the top high-school quarterbacks from across the country gather for a tough three-day competition, is an honor in itself. Now, Lewis is raising the bar even higher by competing in the Elite 11 Finals this weekend.

On3 Recruiting expert Steve Wiltfong predicts Lewis has a strong shot at winning: “Julian Lewis is my prediction to win it. I think his consistency throwing in this type of setting gives him an edge, and he’s fresh off leading Carrollton to 7v7 wins at Auburn and Georgia team camps.”

If Lewis wins, it would mirror the triumphs of previous Elite 11 champions. C.J. Stroud, the 2019 MVP, and Caleb Williams, the 2020 winner, both went on to become highly sought-after prospects in the NCAA. Notably, Williams even bagged the coveted Heisman Trophy, while Stroud was nominated twice. Thus, a similar victory for Lewis would undoubtedly boost his draft stocks significantly.

Wiltfong, commenting during the live Elite 11 Finals coverage, noted that Lewis will head straight to Colorado after his Elite 11 showoff. “I did think there was a chance he’d attend some games and watch some teams play,” he added, hinting at Lewis’ continued exploration.

Reports indicate that Lewis’ father, T.C., expects to make a final college decision before the season starts. It seems Lewis is just setting the bar high for Deion Sanders’ program. 

Julian Lewis sparks confusion ahead of Colorado visit

Julian Lewis, though initially pledged to USC, has been keeping his options open with visits to other schools. His recent visits to Deion Sanders’ Colorado program sparked excitement, with fans chanting “We Want JuJu” and analysts like Philip Duke believing the Buffaloes “have a real shot.”

Furthermore, the potential vacancy of the starting quarterback position due to Shedeur Sanders’ anticipated departure to the NFL next year is also a contributing factor. Thus, the hype for his June 21 Colorado visit is getting real. However, Lewis’ recent interview with 247Sports reveals something different: “I chose USC for Coach Riley… He’s had a good run with all the Heisman trophies.” This suggests Lewis aspires for more than just replicating Caleb Williams’ Elite 11 title; he wants his Heisman-winning status, too. Adding fuel to it, USC’s official X account even posted about Lewis’s “warm-up update” at Elite 11.

Now, Deion Sanders’ hopes of luring Lewis to Boulder seem challenging. Will Deion manage to snatch the top recruit, or will Lincoln Riley secure this coveted talent for USC?