As it stands today, no starter has been named in the competition between Kaidon Salter and Julian “JuJu” Lewis. The expectation is that Salter will get the nod for Week 1. And on paper, it makes sense. He’s older. He’s experienced. And he’s proven he can produce at the college level.
But while Coach Prime weighs the options, a new reality looms in the background—if Julian Lewis doesn’t play this fall, the transfer portal will be waiting with open arms.
Colorado’s most important battle
This isn’t just about who starts on Aug. 29 against Georgia Tech. This is about who stays long-term.
Salter transferred in from Liberty for his final year of eligibility after putting up 44 total touchdowns in 2024. His dual-threat ability and leadership have stood out in camp, and he’s looked every bit the part of a seasoned QB1.
But Lewis didn’t flip from USC to Colorado to be a backup.
The five-star freshman—ranked No. 56 overall and No. 7 at quarterback in the 2025 recruiting class—is the biggest recruiting win of Coach Prime’s tenure so far. He chose Boulder because of early playing time.
Former NFL linebacker and college analyst Gerald “Smoke” Dixon put it plainly this week:
"You can’t leave a five-star, talented player like JuJu Lewis on the sideline all season. You do that, and there’s only one place he ends up—and that’s the transfer portal.""Smoke" Dixon said on 247Sports
Coach Prime isn't redshirting him
Let’s be clear: Deion Sanders ruled out redshirting Lewis in 2025. He practically embarrassed a student reporter in April for even suggesting that.
That’s a good sign for Buffs fans hoping to see the future face of the program on the field sooner rather than later. But how often he plays—and in what capacity—is still unknown.
With Salter viewed as the likely starter (at least for now), Colorado has a decision to make. Do they ride the veteran and risk losing the freshman? Or do they find a way to use both quarterbacks in meaningful ways throughout the season?
Dixon thinks it has to be the latter.
“JuJu’s already ahead of schedule in terms of understanding the playbook,” he said. “You don’t let that kind of talent rot on the bench.”
The transfer portal reality
In 2025, college football operates on different rules. Quarterbacks don’t wait their turn anymore. And programs can’t afford to stash talent on the sideline for “development.”
If Lewis goes unused this fall, there’s no doubt that other top-tier programs will start calling. He’s too talented, too polished, and too connected on the recruiting trail to fly under the radar.
Colorado fans know this feeling all too well—see: Cormani McClain and Dylan Edwards. The portal cuts in both directions.
And the truth is, Lewis isn’t just a quarterback. He’s the centerpiece of Colorado’s next wave of offensive talent. He helped bring in four-star receivers like Adrian Wilson, Quentin Gibson, and Quanell Farrakhan Jr. If he leaves, there could be ripple effects.
A future that can’t be delayed
Nobody’s saying Deion has to hand Lewis the keys immediately. But if the season starts to slip—or if Salter takes too many hits behind an offensive line that gave up 39 sacks last year—Lewis needs to be ready to go.
He already made an impression in Colorado’s spring game. He’s getting valuable reps in practice. And by all accounts, his football IQ is off the charts.
He’s also handled this competition with maturity.
Just last week, during the annual Memorial Day BolderBoulder race, Lewis still managed to get a parking spot and an early morning workout in.
That’s what you want to see. But let’s be honest—saying the right things and sticking around are two different matters.
James' final thoughts
Colorado’s quarterback competition is exactly that—a competition. And if Kaidon Salter wins the job outright, he’s earned that opportunity.
But if Julian Lewis doesn’t see the field this season in a real, meaningful way? The Buffs will lose more than just a backup. They could lose their future. Arch Manning is a rare case.
The transfer portal doesn’t care about potential. It rewards opportunity. And for Coach Prime, the challenge isn’t just picking a starter—it’s keeping both quarterbacks engaged, motivated, and, most of all, here.
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