Colorado quarterback Julian Lewis returned to Big 12 Media Days with a much different perspective than he had a year ago. Now more comfortable with college football and preparing to compete in Brennan Marion’s Go-Go offense, Lewis discussed his development, the quarterback competition with Isaac Wilson, Colorado’s offseason changes, the loss of teammate Dominiq Ponder and the Buffaloes’ season opener against Georgia Tech. He also shared his quarterback Mount Rushmore and explained why he believes his role in the offense is similar to that of a point guard.
Who is on his Mount Rushmore of quarterbacks?
Julian: Of course, Brady. Let me see. Brady. I kind of want to go with my generation, though. So, you go Brady, Rodgers, Russell Wilson and you’ve got to go prime Cam, of course. That’s my fourth.”
How has he changed since attending Media Days last year?
Julian: I think my understanding of college football. College football is a crazy world now, with all the changes and all the moving around. Watching the transfer portal and watching the coaches change, you’ve got to adapt and just be ready for whatever comes your way...I think just my understanding of college football. I’m a lot more comfortable...I feel like when I got in last year, I wasn’t very nervous or anything like that. I think God put me in this position for a reason, and every time I get the opportunity I want why I’m here, I do that.
Was it tough watching teammates leave Colorado after last season?
Julian: We brought in a great group of guys and a great group of older guys. We had some young guys stay...I think it’s understanding that every year is going to change and you’ve got to adapt. It kind of just comes with the job.
On learning Brennan Marion’s Go-Go offense.
Julian: It’s been great. I think the Go-Go offense gives you a lot of opportunities to score points. At the end of the day, that’s every offense’s goal, to score...Coach Marion wants to do that as much as possible...Learning the Go-Go has been a task, for sure, but Coach M has done a great job teaching it. It is his offense, so we’re just trying to take in as much as we can.
On the quarterback’s role in the Go-Go offense.
Julian: Coach calls us the point guards. Our job is to facilitate, get our athletes the ball, make the right decisions with the ball and don’t turn it over. I think it’s pretty basic.
What makes the offense different from last season?
Julian: This offense is completely different from last year. There’s a lot of quick stuff, a lot of getting our athletes the ball and getting them into open space. Let our playmakers make plays.
On the importance of spring practice.
Julian: The spring was interesting for us, just trying to understand the new offense. We had a little hiccup in there with losing one of our brothers...Getting to come back in the summertime definitely helped us out a lot, just having mental clarity and a lot of free time to get with the guys and do a lot of extra work. A lot of that is important.
On opening the season against Georgia Tech in Atlanta.
Julian: It’s a blessing getting that opportunity to go out there and compete with Georgia Tech. I think every game is important for us, and Georgia Tech is just the first team on the block...We have to go out there, get ready and dominate.
What is his biggest offseason focus?
Julian: Just growing and trying to get bigger, stronger and faster, of course. I’m a small quarterback. I think everybody kind of knows that, so I’m just trying to get bigger.
On his relationship and competition with Isaac Wilson.
Juiian:Isaac is a cool kid. It’s quarterback, so of course everybody wants to play, and I understand competition is necessary to drive people...I think me and Isaac are coming together and understanding what’s more important for the team this year. It’s understanding what the main goal is, and that’s to win. I don’t really worry about what’s going to happen.
On remembering Dominiq Ponder and honoring a lost teammate
Julian: We don’t talk much about Dom anymore. I think we had our time to grieve and had our time to deal with that loss....We’re trying to push past it. He’s going to be on our jersey this year, and we’ll probably honor him before games and things like that. But right now, we’ve got to focus.
On getting everyone on the same page in a new offense
Julian: Just work. A lot of extra reps. Coach Marion’s offense is a different offense, for sure...We have a lot of fast guys and a lot of different builds, so we’re trying to understand the different movements and how everybody gets open and moves.
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