Every quarterback is different.
That’s the philosophy guiding Deion Sanders as Julian Lewis prepares for his second season at Colorado.
Speaking with Phillip Dukes on The CFB Scoop, Colorado’s head coach explained that one of his biggest lessons from last season is understanding that every quarterback develops at their own pace.
“I can’t expect who he was and what he did out of nobody,” Sanders said. “I got to treat these young men accordingly and just allow them to be who they are and not expecting them to be that.”
It’s a philosophy that shapes how Sanders is approaching second-year quarterback Julian Lewis, who appeared in four games during his redshirt season before entering fall camp as Colorado’s projected starter.
Shedeur Sanders’ development was different.
Asked what parts of himself he sees in Shedeur, Sanders offered one of the most revealing answers of the interview.
“I think he’s more of me than the other two because he spent more time with me than the other two,” Sanders said. “He never left my side. He always was with me and I always was with him. So, he’s more like me than any of them. Not just his look, but his thought process business-wise, relationally, financially…he is like that.”
Shedeur spent years around his father, first as a son and later as his quarterback at both Jackson State and Colorado. By the time his college career ended, the two shared a unique understanding built through countless hours together on and off the field.
Colorado wants Julian Lewis to play freely.
Although Lewis has already spent a season in the program after reclassifying and preserving his redshirt while appearing in four games, Sanders made it clear he isn’t asking the former five-star recruit to shoulder the same responsibilities that came naturally to Shedeur.
“We’re simplifying a lot of things,” Sanders said. “Not that he’s not capable, which means that, ‘Hey dog, look here. Just go out there and play your game. We don’t need nothing else. Just play your game. Run the play, see the guy, throw the ball.’”
Sanders believes that approach gives Lewis the best chance to maximize the talent that made him one of the nation’s top quarterback prospects.
“Let’s simplify everything and play your game because he has all the intangibles that you need to be successful.”
At the same time, Sanders made it clear Lewis won’t lack accountability.
“He doesn’t have a choice because you got [offensive coordinator] Brennan Marion,” Sanders said. “He don’t play. I don’t have to yell and scream. I got two coordinators that have had head coaching ability that ain’t playing, man.”
Marion’s coaching style allows Sanders to take a different role while still knowing Lewis will be challenged every day.
“I don’t need you to call the huddle. I don’t need you to call no meetings. I don’t need you to call nothing,” Sanders said. “We got that. We got a bunch of older kids on that offense that got that in them.”
Instead, Sanders wants Lewis focused on executing the offense.
“These receivers are trying to go pro,” Sanders said. “They’re dependent on you. I’m not putting no pressure, but I want you to apply pressure. So it’s on you. Let’s go. But just play your game.”
Coach Prime also reminded fans that Lewis’ age is easy to overlook because of the attention he’s received since high school.
“I think because he’s been in the spotlight for so long…he’s still 18,” Sanders said. “This should have been his freshman year. He reclassed up.”
Lewis doesn’t need to become another Shedeur Sanders. Coach Prime simply wants him to become the best version of Julian Lewis.
And for now, that starts with four simple words.
“Just play your game.”
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