The Julian Lewis era at Colorado will feel like a fever dream when it’s over.
That may be sooner rather than later after the former five-star QB was listed as doubtful for the Buffs‘ Week 9 game vs. Kansas State. The weekly Big 12 player availability report was released Wednesday night and Lewis appeared on it for the first time all season.
His father, T. Carlton, explained why on Thursday morning.
“Yesterday, Julian experienced a medical emergency at the University of Colorado athletic facility and was promptly transported to the hospital,” T. Carlton Lewis posted on X. “He is recovering and thankful to his medical team, teammates, and Colorado fans for their prayer and support.”
The news comes just a month after Julian Lewis was benched during Colorado’s Big 12 opener in Week 4. He hasn’t appeared in a game since.
“That’s on him,” Deion Sanders said Tuesday when asked if Julian Lewis will get another shot this season. “I don’t play games with young men in their careers and hate on folks. If anything, I’m too forgiving and very kind. I don’t play those games with kids.
“You have to always understand that we may know a little more than you do. We understand what happens, what goes on, what clicks, what doesn’t and what fits. We get that.”
Coach Prime was asked Tuesday if he’s seen Julian Lewis fight for the starting job.
“If I answer that, you may say I’m taking a shot at a kid,” Deion Sanders said. “I’m not going to do that. I’m not going to go down that rabbit hole.”
Coach Prime has stuck with and publicly supported Isaac Wilson, who has started three consecutive games for the Buffs since Julian Lewis’ benching. Wilson might’ve had a similar fate under normal circumstances since he’s thrown seven INTs in three starts, but it doesn’t seem like Deion Sanders has much of a choice.
It’s either the turnover-prone Isaac Wilson or true freshman Kaneal Sweetwyne with Julian Lewis seemingly done for the season.
Even with Colorado’s QB drama, there’s no excuse for a loss on Saturday. Kansas State starting QB Avery Johnson has already been ruled out and backup QB Jacob Knuth (who started in place of Johnson last week in a loss to Arizona State) is listed as doubtful.
The Buffs will be playing at home against a third-string QB. It’s a must-win game for Deion Sanders and Colorado (2-5), who are on a five-game losing streak.
As for Julian Lewis, if his time truly is over in Boulder, it ended in a mostly unfulfilling fashion after just six starts.
Follow Colorado Buffaloes beat reporter Scott Procter on X.
