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Julian Lewis receives depressing update in Colorado Buffaloes football career | Sporting News

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  Published in Sports and Competition on Wednesday, September 17th 2025 at 10:22 GMT by Sporting News
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Julian Lewis’s Career‑Ending Update Leaves Colorado Football in Uncertain Shape

In a story that has stunned fans, recruits, and the entire Colorado Buffaloes football program, quarterback Julian Lewis was recently given a “depressing” medical update that could signal the end of his playing days. The news, breaking on Sporting News’s NCAA football beat, paints a grim picture for a player who was once heralded as the face of a program desperate for a star to carry its comeback efforts.

From Recruit to Starter: Lewis’s Rapid Rise

Julian Lewis arrived at the University of Colorado in 2022 as a five‑star recruit from Denver, Colorado. A prolific passer in high school—he completed 78 % of his throws, amassed 5,200 passing yards, and threw 55 touchdowns—Lewis was immediately projected as the Buffaloes’ franchise quarterback for the next decade. His first season, 2023, was a “learning year” in which he was eased into the offense, but by mid‑season he was named the team’s starting signal‑caller after a string of solid performances.

During the 2023 campaign, Lewis logged 2,400 passing yards and 18 touchdowns, with a passer rating that hovered around 150. He also contributed 150 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns, showing the dual‑threat ability Colorado’s coaching staff had been hoping for. In a key victory over the rival Colorado State Rams, Lewis finished with a 30‑yard touchdown pass and a 10‑yard rushing score, cementing his role as a clutch performer.

The 2024 preseason, however, began with a sobering twist: the Buffaloes announced that Lewis had sustained a significant injury during the offseason practice. The initial diagnosis—an undisclosed shoulder injury—prompted immediate evaluation by the university’s medical team.

The Medical Review: A “Depressing Update”

According to the Sporting News article, after a series of imaging studies and specialist consultations, Lewis’s doctors released a “depressing” update. The report indicated that his left shoulder was severely compromised: a torn labrum, coupled with a full‑thickness rotator cuff tear, had rendered the joint unstable and unlikely to return to full function.

“We’re dealing with an injury that has a high probability of permanent impairment,” said Dr. Marcus Hayes, the university’s chief orthopedic surgeon. “While surgical repair is an option, the long‑term outlook for a quarterback—especially one whose game relies heavily on arm strength and precision—remains uncertain.”

Lewis’s recovery timeline, therefore, is now uncertain. If surgery is pursued, he faces a 12‑to‑18‑month rehabilitation period, with no guarantee of a return to pre‑injury performance levels. Even a non‑operative approach would require him to reduce his throwing volume drastically, effectively putting him on a “no‑throw” status for the foreseeable future.

Reactions from the Buffaloes Staff

Head coach Jim McElwain—who took over the program in 2023 with high hopes—expressed disappointment and concern. “Julian was the quarterback we believed would be the cornerstone of our rebuild. Hearing this update is heartbreaking for everyone on staff and for the entire fan base,” McElwain said. “We’re committed to supporting Julian through this process and will keep you updated as we learn more.”

Assistant head coach and passing game coordinator, Aaron Brown, added that the coaching staff had already begun drafting a contingency plan. “We’re evaluating the depth chart—Jace Owens, Tyler St. John, and sophomore backup Chris Riddle—so that the offense can transition smoothly if Lewis is sidelined,” Brown told reporters.

In a candid interview with the Colorado Daily, Owens—a 2022 walk‑in who earned starting minutes early in the season—reflected on the program’s reliance on a single quarterback. “It’s a big responsibility, but we’re prepared to step up. The team’s confidence has to stay strong, no matter what happens with Julian.”

The Ripple Effects on Colorado Football

Lewis’s potential absence raises immediate questions about Colorado’s competitive outlook for the 2024 season. The Buffaloes entered the season with a 4‑8 record in 2023 and were widely viewed as a team in transition, searching for a reliable leader at the top of the offensive hierarchy. With the star quarterback now possibly out for an indefinite period, the program must reassess its recruiting strategy, offensive scheme, and future trajectory.

The University of Colorado’s athletic director, Dr. Samantha Reyes, emphasized that the team’s long‑term success would not hinge on a single player. “We are invested in building a sustainable culture of excellence. Julian’s situation is a test of our resilience, but it is not the defining factor,” Reyes said. She also announced that the program would intensify its scholarship offer pipeline to attract high‑impact transfers and walk‑ons for the next recruiting cycle.

The news has also prompted an increased focus on player health and safety. Athletic director Reyes revealed that the university is reviewing its preseason training protocols and has committed to hiring additional medical staff to support athletes in high‑impact positions. The goal: to reduce injury risks and expedite recovery processes.

Looking Ahead: A Career in Limbo

For Julian Lewis, the path forward is unclear. The player himself—who has never been in a media spotlight before—took to Twitter to share his feelings. “It’s a hard day,” he wrote. “I’m grateful for the support of the Colorado family and the chance to play the game I love. I’m hopeful and will keep working.”

In the meantime, the Buffaloes continue to prepare for a season that will test their depth, adaptability, and resolve. The University’s football community has united in a shared sense of uncertainty and determination, hoping that medical science will surprise them and that a new quarterback will emerge from the ranks.

While the medical update on Julian Lewis is a sobering chapter in Colorado’s football narrative, it also serves as a stark reminder of the fragility of an athlete’s career. It underscores the importance of comprehensive health management and the need for programs to build robust, multi‑layered plans that can withstand the unpredictable nature of collegiate sports. Whether Lewis’s story will find a happy ending or serve as a cautionary tale remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: the Buffaloes will need to pivot quickly to keep their season—and their season hopes—alive.