‘Most Unserious Coach Ever,’ ‘Yikes’ — CFB Fans React to Deion Sanders’ Brutally Honest Jab at Colorado QB Julian Lewis
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The Colorado Buffaloes are coming off their first loss of the season, and an old Deion Sanders quote about Julian Lewis suddenly sounds a lot harsher after a 41-7 beating.
Sanders made it clear before the season that he was not asking his 19-year-old quarterback to become the emotional leader of the locker room.
CFB Fans React to Deion Sanders’ Julian Lewis Comments
His point was about reducing pressure on Lewis, but the wording resurfaced after Colorado’s blowout loss to the Northwestern Wildcats, giving critics plenty to chew on.
“What I don’t expect, and this may sound crazy, but it’s real, because he’s a young kid, I don’t need my quarterback to lead us,” Sanderstold CBS Sports before the season. “I need my quarterback to do what we ask him to do.”
Sanders added that asking Lewis to lead a locker room full of older players would be unfair. He wanted the teenager to make the expected throws, execute the offense, and “just do your job.”
One fanwrote, “Julian Lewis will be in the transfer portal.”
Another fanadded, “That boy Ju gone 😂🫠.”
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A thirdreaction was much shorter: “Yikes!”
Another userwrote, “He doesn’t sound like he’s sold on his QB.”
The strongest criticism came from another fan, whowrote, “Most UNSERIOUS coach ever. He doesn’t expect leadership of QB1?!!!!!!! WUT?! 😱 What a clown. CU…. I hope you are looking for a real coach already!”
Colorado’s Loss Makes Sanders’ Quote Hit Differently
The context around Sanders’ original comments matters. He was not saying Lewis lacked leadership ability. He was trying to remove a responsibility he considered unreasonable for a quarterback who reclassified, entered college early, and only turned 19 this week.
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Lewis also entered 2026 as abreakout candidate after flashing late last season. He threw the game-winning touchdown against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets in the opener, then erupted for 366 yards and 4 scores against the Weber State Wildcats. Through three games, though, Colorado’s offense has produced uneven results.
Lewis completed 19 of 29 passes for 168 yards, 1 touchdown and 2 interceptions against Northwestern. The picks ended a streak of 150 consecutive attempts without an interception, while Colorado committed 4 turnovers and failed on all 3 fourth-down attempts.
Colorado is 2-1, and PFN’s currentOffense Impact gives Colorado a 71.7 score after three games. That leaves plenty of season for Lewis and Sanders to reshape the conversation, but Saturday’s performance ensured the coach’s preseason wording would be viewed through a different lens.
Sanders asked Lewis to execute rather than carry the locker room. Against the Baylor Bears, that distinction gets very simple: Colorado does not need a speech from its quarterback. It needs the offense to stop handing possessions away.
This article originally appeared on Pro Football Network.
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