Julian Lewis, quarterback for the Colorado Buffaloes, is currently vying for the starting position with fellow quarterback Kaidon Salter. Despite this competition, Lewis remains one of the most prominent college athletes in terms of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals. In a recent interview, Lewis made it clear that he sees a clear distinction between his football career and his NIL ventures.
A highly-touted high school recruit from Georgia, Lewis has capitalized on his success, securing NIL deals alongside his athletic pursuits. Originally part of the 2026 recruiting class, Lewis accelerated his timeline and graduated early to join college sooner than expected. As a former four-star recruit, he initially committed to USC under Coach Lincoln Riley, before ultimately flipping to the Colorado Buffaloes and Coach Deion Sanders.
In an interview with USA Today’s Brent Schrotenboer, part of an NIL opportunity with Fanstake, a platform that helps fans fund NIL deals for student-athletes, Lewis spoke about his mindset on balancing football and NIL.
“I’m fortunate to be part of this era in sports where athletes today have opportunities that previous generations didn’t,” Lewis shared. “But NIL is separate from my football career. Football is my priority. I have a responsibility to my teammates, my university, and myself to be the best player I can be.” He also expressed gratitude for the NIL opportunities he’s received, crediting his father and his team for their support in creating these avenues.
Although Lewis has high expectations in Colorado’s offense, he will be competing with Salter for the starting job in 2025. Regardless of whether he starts or serves as backup, Lewis is one of the highest-valued NIL athletes on the team, with an NIL valuation of $1.1 million according to On3, second only to Colorado offensive tackle Jordan Seaton.
When asked about the advice his father has given him regarding balancing both football and NIL, Lewis shared, “He always reminds me that I have two jobs: being a quarterback and being an entrepreneur.” This guidance has paid off, helping Lewis build a strong personal brand, especially with Colorado’s “Coach Prime” program and its expanded social media presence, which has boosted the profiles of players like Shedeur Sanders and Travis Hunter.
Schrotenboer also asked if NIL influenced his decision to switch commitments from USC to Colorado. Lewis clarified, saying, “No, that wasn’t a factor. It came down to where I wanted to be and the opportunity to follow Shedeur, who everyone knew would be leaving for the NFL.”
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