Julian Lewis named to Maxwell Award watch list ahead of the 2026 season

Colorado Buffaloes projected starting quarterback Julian Lewis was named to the watch list for the 90th Maxwell Award, the Maxwell Football Club announced Monday.

Lewis joins an elite group of 81 candidates for the award, which is presented annually to the most outstanding player in college football. He is one of 15 Big 12 Conference players to make the list.

The former five-star recruit played in four games last season, completing 52-of94 passes for 589 yards and four touchdowns. He enters fall camp technically in a quarterback battle with Utah transfer Isaac Wilson, but every indication has been that he will win the job come the season opener on Sept. 3.

Lewis becomes just the 10th Buff to earn a Maxwell Award Watchlist nod, joining recent players Travis Hunter (2024), Shedeur Sanders (2024) and Laviska Shenault (2018). Hunter was a finalist during his Heisman Trophy season, while Eric Bieniemy finished third in 1990, and Rashaan Salaam was the runner-up in 1994.

Julian Lewis has been named to the Maxwell Award Watchlist 🎯@JulianLewis10 x #GoBuffshttps://t.co/fEqF3Tqgwhpic.twitter.com/opjxQlX90c

— Colorado Buffaloes Football (@CUBuffsFootball) August 3, 2026

Semifinalists for the 2026 Maxwell Award will be announced Nov. 10, and the three finalists will be named later that month on Nov. 24. The winner will be announced Dec. 10 along with the other major college football awards.

A Maxwell Award type of season for Lewis would almost certainly mean the Buffaloes are at the very least a six-win bowl-eligible team, if not a Big 12 contender.

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This article originally appeared on Buffaloes Wire: Julian Lewis named to Maxwell Award watch list ahead of the 2026 season