ESPN labels Colorado's QB situation as promising, but largely unproven

Colorado enters the 2026 college football season with a clear top option at quarterback in redshirt freshman Julian Lewis. Although it will be his first season starting full-time, the Buffaloes are counting on him to turn into a productive signal caller.

ESPN recently released its quarterback situation tiers for every FBS program. Colorado's QB room landed in the eighth tier out of 25. The tier is labeled "Learning to fly," likely an ode to the young yet promising group of five players within it.

Lewis joins Maryland's Malik Washington, Mississippi State's Kamario Taylor, Pittsburgh's Mason Heintschel and Virginia Tech's Ethan Grunkemeyer. All five have the potential to be superstars, but have yet to put it all together.

David Hale writes that the Buffs posted only a 30.3% offensive success rate with Lewis on the field last season. Anywhere close to that mark in 2026, and Colorado won't have a good season.

Julian Lewis' 2026 outlook

Still, like the four other quarterbacks in the group, no one should be surprised if success follows them entering their second full season in college football.

During his redshirt freshman season, Lewis played in four games, completing 55.3% of his passes for 589 yards and four touchdowns with no interceptions. It was a small sample size and certainly was not enough to make him a bona fide starter, leading Deion Sanders' staff to bring in former Utah quarterback Isaac Wilson as competition.

Lewis is the leader in the clubhouse, but he will need to show plenty of growth and play closer to his potential. Fall camp later this summer should give us significant intel into what direction the Buffs are leaning.

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This article originally appeared on Buffaloes Wire: Colorado football Julian Lewis ranked in ESPN 2026 quarterback tiers