Colorado's 2026 football campaign rests on the shoulders of redshirt freshman Julian Lewis, who has been anointed the Buffaloes' starting quarterback despite a résumé that consists of just four collegiate appearances.
Analysts at ESPN have placed the Buffaloes in the eighth of 25 tiers they dub "Learning to fly," a designation that signals a group with upside but little proven production.
A Tier of Untested Talent
The tier includes four other quarterbacks who could potentially blossom into superstars: Malik Washington at Maryland, Kamario Taylor at Mississippi State, Mason Heintschel at Pittsburgh and Ethan Grunkemeyer at Virginia Tech.
Lewis’s numbers from last season were modest — a 30.3% offensive success rate, 55.3% completion rate, 589 yards and four touchdowns with no interceptions across four games — but the coaching staff sees untapped potential.
Adding to the intrigue, head coach Deion Sanders introduced former Utah signal‑caller Isaac Wilson to the competition, positioning him as a direct challenger for the starting role.
With fall camp looming, the next few weeks will be a crucible where Lewis must translate promise into performance, and where the Buffaloes will begin to glimpse the direction of their offense.