Julian Lewis is being viewed as one of the more intriguing young quarterbacks in college football, with a projected NIL value of $1 million and a forecast that places him as a potential fifth-round pick in the 2028 NFL draft.
That combination says plenty about where the Colorado quarterback stands right now. He has the profile of a highly touted recruit, the commercial appeal that comes with it, and still only limited college football snaps as he heads into the 2026 season.
Why Lewis stands out
Lewis, an 18-year-old entering his second season under Deion Sanders at Colorado, was a five-star quarterback in the 2025 recruiting class according to Rivals and. He has already shown flashes in limited action, making four appearances last season and throwing for 589 yards and four touchdowns while completing 55.3% of his passes.
The projections around him reflect both promise and patience. A $1 million NIL valuation is a sign of how strongly the market is already responding to his name, while the fifth-round projection for the 2028 NFL draft points to a player who is still developing rather than one being pushed too far too soon.
Sanders' view on leadership
Deion Sanders made clear at Big 12 Media Days in July that he does not want Lewis carrying a burden that is bigger than his stage of development. Sanders said he does not need his quarterback to lead verbally, stressing that he needs him to do what is asked and make the plays that should be made.
That message matters because it frames Lewis in the right way. He is not being asked to act like the finished article. He is being asked to execute, learn and grow into the role while Colorado manages his development carefully.
Sanders also said it is not fair to expect an 18-year-old to lead a locker room full of men, adding that Lewis does not need to run out of the tunnel first or get on anybody’s butt. In other words, the priority is performance, not theatre.
What comes next
For Lewis, the next stage is about turning hype into steady production. The projected NIL value shows the commercial upside is already obvious, while the draft projection shows there is still plenty of football ahead before any pro decision becomes relevant in 2028.
Colorado will keep measuring him by how well he handles the snaps he gets, not by how loudly he leads. If he continues to progress, the numbers attached to his name could become even more significant.
