July 21, 2026Updated July 22, 2026, 2:14 p.m. MT
Colorado enters the 2026 football season with at least, on paper, a clearer plan for its starting quarterback position. Redshirt freshman Julian is the presumptive starter, with Utah transfer Isaac Wilson his presumed backup.
Both are capable starters with Power Four experience, but where does the Colorado starting quarterback, presuming it is Lewis, rank among his peers? The Athletic recently published its college football quarterback tiers, placing every FBS starter into seven tiers. Where does Julian Lewis rank in The Athletic’s QB tiers? Lewis landed in tier five, No. 49 overall. The fifth tier is described as “a mix of some of the top Group of 6 QBs, Power 4 first-time starters, unproven QBs and productive veterans with a lower ceiling or who are looking for a fresh start. These are quarterbacks teams can win with and who have distinct traits, but they are missing something that can vault them to the next level.”
The Buffaloes’ quarterback is firmly considered unproven, with no proven resume, but there is belief that he will grow into a quality starter and is certainly a QB the Buffaloes believe they can win with.
One Big 12 assistant feels the arrival of offensive coordinator Brennan Marion could significantly improve Lewis’ trajectory,
“I think Brennan will turn it around with him,” the assistant told The Athletic. “The Go-Go offense might be entertaining with him.”
Lewis has a lot to work on, but the ceiling is there, and he was a five-star prospect for a reason. He comes in ahead of Iowa State’s Jaylen Raynor, West Virginia’s Michael Hawkins Jr., Cincinnati’s JC French IV and Kansas’ Cole Ballard, making Lewis the 12th-best quarterback in the Big 12. Oklahoma State’s Drew Mestemaker is the top-ranked Big 12 quarterback coming in at No. 6, with Arizona’s Noah Fifita a close second at No. 10 overall. Follow Charlie Strella on X, Threads and Instagram.
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