Colorado and Auburn make push to flip 2025 top quarterback recruit from USC
Even when a recruit claims they're fully invested into a school they've committed too, there's looming temptation for a flip as long as conversations and visits continue. The USC Trojans are looking to avoid potential disaster with 2025 5-star quarterback Julian Lewis. Despite Lewis claiming he's all-in on the Trojans, the QB made a surprising […]
Even when a recruit claims they're fully invested into a school they've committed too, there's looming temptation for a flip as long as conversations and visits continue. The USC Trojans are looking to avoid potential disaster with 2025 5-star quarterback Julian Lewis. Despite Lewis claiming he's all-in on the Trojans, the QB made a surprising statement shortly thereafter.
Julian Lewis Recruiting News: Colorado, Auburn in Pursuit
Lewis, ranked as the second-best quarterback in the 2025 class according to 247Sports composite, made his commitment to the USC Trojans in August. However, his recruitment journey has persisted, with the Auburn Tigers, Colorado Buffaloes, and Indiana Hoosiers completing his list of top four schools.
Lewis told On3's Steve Wiltfong that the Trojans are still leading the pack, but the Buffaloes are "popping right now" and he "loves Boulder." Those are massively concerning words for Trojans fans who hoped Riley had his next Caleb Williams.
The Gatorade National Player of the Year is an electric talent. He's set to take an official visit to Boulder in late June, which will mark his third trip there. This is the power of Deion Sanders.
Julian Lewis Buys Father a Car with NIL Money
With more than 200,000 social media followers with a year to play high school football in Georgia, Lewis is already setting himself up to succeed. Georgia now allows high schoolers to profit off their likeness, and Lewis signed with Leaf Trading Cards, Jaxxon, and Alo Yoga. He recently bought himself and his father a car.
“Shoot, money’s life,” he said. “I’ve got to help provide for my family. I bought my first car. I bought my dad’s car. It’s definitely been a blessing to go through the process. But I mean, my whole thing is football. I’ll make more in the NFL than I will right now in high school or college off NIL.”
Props to Lewis for making the most of this moment. His next decision will be huge. Although transfer QBs have found success recently across college football, it's not a guarantee that the grass is greener.
Should Julian Lewis Sign With USC?
I can't speculate beyond what I see in USC's upcoming recruiting class and current on-field situation. But it's hard to look at USC's QB depth chart and not see a natural fit for the dual-threat Lewis. We know Miller Moss will have the chance to have the job in 2024 and 2025, and Jayden Maiava is a great alternative in case he struggles.
Moss has two years of eligibility remaining, while Maiava has three. If both exhaust their available time, Lewis could see the field in 2027 as a third-year sophomore. That's probably his worst-case.
Moss was impressive in the final game of the 2023 season in relief of Caleb Williams, but Maiava is far from a slouch. He was electric at UNLV, carrying the Rebels to a breakout campaign. He has an NFL frame and arm, so it's possible he beats out Moss, or transfers again if he loses.
Either way opens the door even more for Lewis to see the field in 2026. That has to be a factor when Sanders might not even be in Boulder by then due to the program's financial issues. Auburn is a legitimate threat as well, given their prestige and Freeze's history developing QBs.
