Julian Lewis named to Maxwell Award Watchlist

Colorado quarterback Julian Lewis evades pressure from cornerback Boo Carter in CU's 2026 spring game (Photo by Tripp Mauldin/Sko Buffs Sports)

Before even taking a single snap of his redshirt freshman season, Julian “JuJu” Lewis was named to the Maxwell Award Watchlist. The Maxwell Award is one of the most prestigious awards, given to the best all-around college football player in the nation. 

No Colorado player has ever won the Maxwell Award, but three have been finalists. Running back Rashaan Salaam was the runner-up in 1994, running back Eric Bieniemy finished third in 1990 and cornerback/wide receiver Travis Hunter was a finalist in 2024.

Lewis is the 10th Buff to make the preseason list, with recent names including quarterback Shedur Sanders in 2024 and wide receiver Laviska Shenault in 2018, as well as the aforementioned names.

Being on the watchlist puts him in elite company, including top pass catchers like Ohio State’s Jeremiah Smith and national champion runner-up Malachi Toney. Among those 81 athletes are 45 quarterbacks, including Arch Manning, Julian Sayin, Trinidad Chambliss, Bryce Underwood and Dante Moore, all quarterbacks who have national championship aspirations and expectations.

Though Lewis and the Buffs may not have expectations to that level, he could be a surprise name that makes some splashes.

Lewis completed 55 percent of his passes last season in four appearances while throwing for 589 passing yards and four touchdowns. Though a limited sample size, Lewis has shown the ability to make the smart play under pressure, not yet turning the ball over in his tenure as a Buff. Limiting interceptions and not forcing passes may catch some voters’ attention. Combine that with big-play ability, and it would be hard to leave Lewis off the semifinalist list in November.

Quarterback Julian Lewis takes a snap from center Sean Kinney in Colorado's 2026 spring game (Photo by Kainoa Hiatt/Sko Buffs Sports).

With a revamped offense and new weapons, Lewis is poised to take a step forward, and the “Go-Go” offense is the perfect offense to create big plays.

“I think the ‘Go-Go’ offense gives you a lot of opportunities to score points,” Lewis said at Big 12 Football Media Days. “[It’s the quarterback’s] job to facilitate, get our athletes the ball.”

With a high-speed offense and new weapons to cut defenses, Lewis will have to hit those receivers and score points to be a semifinalist.

“JuJu is making tremendous strides. We just want him to take control and do what he's capable of doing,” head coach Deion “Coach Prime” Sanders said at Big 12 Football Media Days.

Of the 81 names on the Maxwell Award Watchlist, Lewis is the only freshman after redshirting last season. That youth may work against him as 15 of the last 20 Maxwell Award Recipients were in their junior or senior seasons.

Coach Prime was sure to take some of the pressure off the 18-year-old and ensure that he’s focused on winning games and winning each snap. 

“He's young,” Sanders said. “Let him develop into that. Let him grow into that and just let him play the game.”

With offensive coordinator Brennan Marion’s scheme and coaching touch, Lewis still could make some noise around the award. 

“Allow your coordinator [Coach Marion] to do what he does, and he can put that sauce on it because he's really good at that,” Sanders said. “Don't have the expectation that he has to be right here and right now. Just do your job. That's all we're asking.”