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Julian Lewis shares powerful message from Miami legend

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Steven Corder | Last updated May 18, 2025 12:39 AM ET

It wasn’t a deep ball or a scramble out of the pocket that had Colorado freshman quarterback Julian Lewis making headlines this week. It was a heartfelt social media post about his sister’s graduation—and a speech from one of college football’s most respected voices that echoed far beyond the ceremony.

Lewis, the Buffaloes’ five-star early enrollee and the No. 12 overall prospect in the 2025 class (per ESPN), attended his sister’s graduation at the University of Miami, where former NFL Pro Bowler Jonathan Vilma delivered a keynote speech that struck a personal chord.

“Jonathon Vilma gave an amazing speech at my sister’s graduation about the impact that my strength Coach Swasey had on his life and career,” Lewis shared on X.

Johnathon Vilma gave an amazing speech at my sisters graduation about the impact that my strength Coach Swasey had on his life and career. @CUBuffsFootball pic.twitter.com/axijsdw06r
— Julian "Ju Ju" Lewis QB (@JulianLewis10) May 16, 2025

Vilma, who helped lead the Miami Hurricanes to a national title in 2001 and enjoyed a decorated NFL career with the Jets and Saints, didn’t hold back in his praise for Andreu Swasey—Miami’s former strength and conditioning coach, now working under Deion Sanders at Colorado.

“Swasey told me how good I could be, and I didn’t even know it yet. He planted that seed in me… I had never been told by anybody how good I could be. It was always how good I was. So when Swasey told me that, I said, you know what, there’s no way I can let him down,” Vilma said.

For Buffaloes fans, this moment goes beyond sentiment. It’s a strong affirmation of the culture being rebuilt in Boulder. Swasey, who joined Coach Prime’s staff in 2025, continues to play a pivotal role in shaping both bodies and minds in the Buffaloes locker room.

Julian Lewis, who recently wrapped up spring camp and is in the thick of a quarterback competition with senior transfer Kaidon Salter, couldn’t have heard Vilma’s words at a better time. The freshman phenom isn’t guaranteed the starting role—but with influences like Swasey in the building, his trajectory feels promising.

As Colorado eyes a turnaround season, this graduation day reminder might be just the mental spark Lewis—and the Buffs—needed.

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

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