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Julian Lewis Follows Shedeur Sanders’ Lead at Colorado’s Big 12 Media Days

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Matt De Lima | Last updated Jul 9, 2025 2:15 PM ET

Colorado true freshman quarterback Julian Lewis appears ready to embrace the legacy left behind by Shedeur Sanders. Representing the Buffaloes at the Big 12 Media Days, Lewis turned heads by striking a familiar pose: holding up his wrist to show off a flashy watch, coined "Wrist Up" by Buffaloes fans.

Fans instantly recognized the gesture as the iconic celebration popularized by Sanders during his tenure as the Buffaloes' starting quarterback.

Sanders’ impact at Colorado went well beyond his impressive stats. While guiding the Buffaloes to a 9-4 record last year, the 23-year-old signal-caller injected energy and swagger into the program, symbolized by his now-famous watch celebration.

After touchdowns or significant plays, Sanders would hold up his wrist, highlighting the moment in a move that captured national attention and helped transform the image of Colorado football under head coach Deion Sanders.

Julian Lewis in the house pic.twitter.com/Vo1e9cdsQf
— RK (@RyanKoenigsberg) July 9, 2025

Now, with Shedeur off to the NFL, Colorado has handed the keys of the offense over to Lewis, a highly touted freshman viewed by many as the potential future of the program. Lewis is competing with transfer Kaidon Salter for the starting job.

The young quarterback's decision to replicate Sanders' celebration sends a clear message that he understands the expectations and legacy associated with leading this team.

Choosing Lewis as one of Colorado’s representatives for Big 12 Media Days further emphasized how highly the coaching staff views him. It’s uncommon for true freshmen who haven’t yet taken a college snap to represent their teams on such a prominent stage, making Colorado’s choice even more significant.

To add to the quarterback battle, Salter was also at the media day.

This decision may signal the coaching staff’s belief that Lewis possesses the maturity and talent required to succeed this season at a high level early in his collegiate career.

Lewis' mirroring of Sanders’ watch celebration is more than just a playful nod. It indicates that Lewis is ready to assume a leadership role, and he's comfortable stepping into the spotlight Sanders helped create. For a Colorado team entering a critical season in 2025, Lewis's confidence and poise will be vital if they hope to contend in the highly competitive Big 12.

With Lewis at quarterback, the Buffs are looking ahead with optimism. By embracing Sanders’ legacy, Lewis is demonstrating to Colorado fans that he understands the responsibility ahead of him and is eager to add his own chapter to the Buffaloes' story.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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