Shedeur Sanders and Travis Hunter’s $7.3 Million Feats Boost Colorado Buffs’ Appeal to Julian Lewis

Julian Lewis, a 5-star quarterback, is currently in the spotlight. His potential commitment to Colorado, a program known for its passionate fan base, could be a game-changer for the team, especially in the upcoming 2025 season. The buzz around Lewis is not surprising, given the attention he’s already garnered before making his commitment decision. 

The “WeWantJuJu” chant in Colorado had been loud enough to make constant headlines leading up to his official visit. And while his pending decision weighs heavily on the Buffs fans, some factors show that no other program can rival Colorado. Will these factors be able to hold Julian Lewis down in Boulder?

Julian Lewis could benefit from NIL money

It doesn’t necessarily mean Colorado will pay Julian Lewis for his commitment. But according to what Jacob Pauly of Folsom Frenzy Podcast said on the latest episode on June 24, “CU gives kids so much notoriety and fame and NIL follows after you look at Shedeur, you look at Travis. The NIL money follows because it’s national money. It’s not necessarily money coming out of Boulder but CU’s got a lot going for him.”

If there is one thing Colorado is known for, it is NIL. Shedeur Sanders and Travis Hunter made massive amounts in NIL money, with $4.6 million and $2.7 million, respectively, a combined $7.3 million. So, if Julian Lewis joins Colorado, he potentially has a splendid chance at landing NIL deals, given his notoriety. And that’s not all Colorado offers because he would get the support of one of the best fan bases in college football.

Colorado’s warm welcome for Julian Lewis

After much anticipation, when Julian Lewis finally came to Colorado for his official visit on June 21, he was met with a warm welcome that On3’s Josh Newber described as a “true family event.” This warm welcome reflects the excitement around Lewis’s potential commitment and “the sense of community and belonging” that Colorado offers, a factor that could significantly influence his decision. 

Another reason Julian Lewis might stick to Colorado is that Deion Sanders has already declared that he’s not leaving Boulder even if his sons join the NFL in 2025. This gave Newber another highlight as he said, “Coach Prime at Colorado for long haul and JuJu is his guy he wants leading his team moving forward.” The final decision won’t be disclosed until the coming weeks. Until then, we can only wonder if Colorado did enough to impress Julian Lewis to flip from USC.