Deion Sanders Says 5-Star QB Julian Lewis Will Play in Colorado vs. Delaware

After Colorado lost its season opener against Georgia Tech on Friday, head coach Deion Sanders is ready to switch things up.

Sanders told reporters on Tuesday during his weekly news conference that 5-star true freshman quarterback Julian Lewis will see the field during Colorado's matchup against Delaware on Saturday. While Lewis won't start the game, he will split time with Liberty transfer Kaidon Salter.

"He's playing this week for sure. I know when we're going to see him. You just don't know when you're going to see him," Sanders told reporters.

Lewis was the No. 6 quarterback in the 2025 class in 247Sports' composite rankings. He chose Colorado over offers from Alabama, USC, Auburn and others. 247Sports director of scouting Andrew Ivins described him as "an elite distributor of the football with his quick release and advanced mechanics that picked apart defenses in the Peach State's highest classification."

Salter threw for 159 yards and a touchdown on 17-of-28 passing while adding 43 rushing yards and another score on 13 carries in the Buffaloes' 27-20 loss to the Yellow Jackets. Sanders was asked if Lewis playing creates a path to him taking over the starting role, and he reiterated that the youngster is only getting his feet wet.

"We take one game at a time," Sanders said. "I just told you he was playing, now you're saying he's starting. Come on, dog. Work with me, baby, just work with me. He's playing, alright?"

Sanders added that he wants to make sure that he doesn't rush Lewis' development, but he sees Saturday's matchup against Delaware as the perfect opportunity for the freshman to gain some experience.

"You gotta understand, I love that kid, I really do, and I want him to be extremely successful. Sometimes you don't want to rush things, sometimes you don't want to delay things," he said. "You want to make sure the timing is right. I don't think the time was appropriate last week, I really don't, and the way the game was flowing, the rhythm of the game. But this week, I made up my mind already before now, he's gonna play. I don't care about the flow or nothing, he's playing."