Deion Sanders reveals JuJu Lewis will not play vs. Kansas State to preserve redshirt
Colorado QB Julian Lewis has started over the last two games to bring him to four appearances for the Buffaloes. Those will be his final outings of his freshman season, though, after the announcement this morning out of Boulder.
Deion Sanders revealed at his press conference on Tuesday that Lewis will not play in their season finale on the road this weekend against Kansas State. That decision was made by him in order to preserve the true freshman’s redshirt, with him having met the limit of games played in order to still do so.
“Yeah, it has,” Sanders said, when asked about if a decision had been made on a redshirt for Lewis.
“Let me give you guys this right now. I made a decision that JuJu is going to redshirt. That’s my decision. I want what’s best for the kid, what’s best for his family, what’s best for this wonderful university that’s me the tremendous opportunity and him an opportunity. I think, for the program, it’s best for everyone. But, mainly, it’s great for him. So, I’m not going to say he was happy, because he’s a competitor. He wants to compete. He wants to play. His father? You know, they’re cut from the same cloth. We had that conversation as well – not that he forced it (because) I know him, so we had that conversation… So, it’s not like he came to me saying, coach. He’s not built like that. That kid wants to play. He wants to compete, and I love him for it. He really does. So, that’s on me.”
This is a change of mind by Sanders. He had reportedly planned to burn the redshirt for Lewis, with him expected to be their starter for their final three games this fall, going into the first of those in the first full week of November.
With the quarterback questions this season for CU, Lewis, the former four-star and top-ten quarterback prospect in last year’s recruiting class, has had to make a handful of appearances for the Buffs. That includes being their starter in their past two games in losses to West Virginia and Arizona State.
Lewis, in total, is 52-94 (55.3%) for 589 passing yards with four touchdowns and no interceptions. Then, since being named the starter after taking over at quarterback in their second half against Arizona, Lewis is 41-73 (56.2%) for 230 passing yards per game with three of his touchdown throws against the Mountaineers and against the Sun Devils.
This decision now being made, Sanders revealed the latest depth chart for the Buffaloes as they prepare to travel to play the Wildcats in Manhattan. Kaidon Salter (63.1% completion for 155.3 per game with 10 touchdowns, six interceptions) will return as the starting quarterback, with Ryan Staub (54.5% completion for 106.8 per game with three touchdowns, four interceptions) remaining the backup for the finale on Saturday.
“So, Kaidon Salter would start this week,” said Sanders. “Staub would be the backup, therefore, unless something crazy happens, an injury or whatever in practice. But, that’s where we’re going.”
In his outings this season, Lewis showed a bit of why many were excited about him when he flipped and signed, just over a year ago today, to play for Coach Prime back in November. Still, Sanders knows that it’s just the start for him, with him now having this additional year in college to use if he so chooses.
“I’m proud of the youngster…I’m proud of him,” said Sanders. “I know what he’s capable of doing. You’ve seen it. You’ve seen a glimpse and, when you see a glimpse of something, all you need to add is practice, practice, practice, and then you’re going to see the consistent version of that.”
