Julian Lewis, Colorado’s presumptive starting quarterback, just landed at No. 49 overall in The Athletic’s new college football QB tiers, putting him squarely in the middle of the pack and as the 12th-best signal-caller in the Big 12. This redshirt freshman has the keys to the Buffaloes’ offense, with Utah transfer Isaac Wilson as his presumed backup. Both have Power Four experience, but Lewis’s ranking really tells you where things stand right now.
The ‘Star of Tomorrow’ Label and the #49 Truth
The Athletic tossed Lewis into Tier 4, a group they describe as “some of the stars of tomorrow, like inexperienced QBs who coaches believe in but lack a proven resume, and there are also veterans who are looking to redeem themselves and journeymen looking to make the most of their last stops.” Lewis definitely fits that “star of tomorrow” mold, a five-star prospect with a huge ceiling, but his resume? Not quite there yet. The good news is coaches clearly believe he’s gonna grow into a quality starter. He’s ahead of guys like Iowa State’s Jaylen Raynor, West Virginia’s Michael Hawkins Jr., Cincinnati’s JC French IV, and Kansas’ Cole Ballard, so that’s something.
The Go-Go Offense Could Unleash Something Wild
Here’s where it gets interesting. One Big 12 assistant is convinced that offensive coordinator Brennan Marion is the secret sauce for Lewis. “I think Brennan will turn it around with him,” the assistant told The Athletic. “The Go-Go offense might be entertaining with him.” That’s a bold take right there! Imagine Lewis firing in that Go-Go offense; it could be a game-changer for the kid. Oklahoma State’s Drew Mestemaker is the top-ranked Big 12 QB at No. 6 overall, with Arizona’s Noah Fifita close behind at No. 10. Lewis has some climbing to do, but it sounds like there’s a plan to get him there.
The big question now is whether Lewis lives up to that “star of tomorrow” tag this season. With Marion running the show and a chance to prove himself, all eyes will be on Colorado to see if Lewis can start his climb up those quarterback tiers. The ceiling is sky-high for this kid, and it’s gonna be wild to watch him try to prove it on the field.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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