Deion Sanders Explains Why He Benched Julian Lewis

Colorado’s last game of the season against Kansas State doesn’t change much, but it does matter for freshman quarterback Julian Lewis. Head coach Deion Sanders announced that Lewis will not play so he can keep all four years of his college eligibility.

Julian Lewis has played in four games already, which is the NCAA limit before a player loses a full year. Sanders said on his show, Coach Prime’s Playbook, that he made this choice to protect Lewis’ future.

Julian Lewis has shown real talent, throwing for 589 yards and four touchdowns in limited time. But Sanders said this is exactly why he stepped in. Lewis wanted to play, but Sanders believed saving that extra year was more important.

“His family didn’t tell me to do this,” Sanders added. “I went to them. He’s a baller and wants to compete, but the right move is keeping that extra year.”

With Lewis sitting out, Kaidon Salter will start the season finale and Ryan Staub will be the backup.

Since Coach Prime arrived at Colorado, he has leaned on transfer quarterbacks like Shedeur Sanders and Liberty transfer Kaidon Salter. But Lewis is different. Sanders sees him as a big part of Colorado’s future and wants to develop him slowly. Lewis looked great in his game against West Virginia, but in other games he rushed throws and missed open receivers. Colorado’s weak offensive line hasn’t helped either.

Sanders said Lewis took the news like a pro. “This was my call. I’m looking out for him and this program.”

Sanders’ care for his players goes beyond football. When wide receiver Jimmy Horn Jr.’s father couldn’t attend Senior Day because he was in prison, Sanders walked Horn onto the field himself. After a loss to Arizona State, Sanders told reporters to blame him, not the coaches or players.

He also supports players who won’t play in the NFL. Sanders told CBS Colorado that some players said they wanted to become firefighters. So he arranged meetings for them and helped start their career plans. What began with one player turned into eight getting help.

At Colorado, loyalty works both ways. Young players like Julian Lewis show their commitment to the program, and Sanders makes sure he supports their futures — whether that’s in football or a completely different career.

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