Julian Lewis Looks to Make NFL History Following Colorado in Head-Turning Plan

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Steven Corder | Last updated May 23, 2025 8:09 PM ET

Before he’s even taken a snap for the Colorado Buffaloes, Julian Lewis is already rewriting the expectations of what a college quarterback can accomplish.

Just days after stepping off the high school graduation stage, Lewis—one of the most hyped freshmen in college football—is diving headfirst into an academic and athletic grind that few would dare attempt. His goal? To graduate from the University of Colorado in just three years and declare for the 2028 NFL Draft as potentially the youngest quarterback ever selected.

“I’ve got summer classes at the University of Colorado. Sko Buffs,” Lewis said recently. “That’s what I need. To be three and done.”

It’s not just talk. Lewis reclassified into the Class of 2025, accelerating his academic timeline and doubling his course load over the last year. The process, he admits, hasn’t been easy.

“You know, it’s mental overload, but that’s a part of life I chose, so I can’t really complain,” Lewis said. “I’m just blessed that God gave me the opportunity to have them classes, and my school did they thing to get the classes that I graduated early.”

QB Julian Lewis. On a Mission. Aims to Graduate CU in 3 Years

"I've got summer classes at the University of Colorado. Sko Buffs. That's what I need. To be 3 and done"

@JulianLewis10
️ https://t.co/oxPiEmdFwT https://t.co/u6agyd79lQ pic.twitter.com/1eNRzLjCnx
— JaKi (@JaKiTruth) May 22, 2025

If everything goes to plan, Lewis would enter the 2028 NFL Draft at just over 20 years and 210 days old. That would make him younger than Anthony Richardson, who currently holds the record for the youngest quarterback ever drafted at 20 years and 340 days. The Buffaloes star could become not only the youngest signal-caller drafted in the modern era but potentially the youngest to start an NFL game.

Although Julian is looking to make history, he would not be the youngest player ever drafted. That distinction goes to Louisville Cardinals defensive tackle Amobi Okoye. When the Houston Texans selected him with the 10th overall pick in the 2007 NFL Draft, he became the youngest player ever drafted at 19 years, 10 months.

It’s not just age that makes Lewis’ path compelling—it’s the workload. Lewis is juggling the pressure of major college football, the demands of early academics, and the scrutiny that comes with being the centerpiece of Coach Prime’s future.

For Colorado fans, Lewis is more than just a quarterback—he’s a symbol of a new era. And if he succeeds, he won’t just leave Boulder with a degree. He’ll leave a legacy.

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

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