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Five-star passer Julian “JuJu” Lewis committed to USC back in August of 2023, giving Lincoln Riley a headliner in his 2025 recruiting class. Rumors, however, continue to swirl about the possibility of him backing off of that pledge.
The quarterback has been taking official visits this summer, with Auburn and Colorado potentially offering some stiff competition for the Trojans.
Rated as the nation’s top signal caller in his cycle, the Georgia native boasts offers from every major program. He’ll likely garner a high NIL asking price, too.
Rapper Travis Scott has done his part to ensure the Trojans won’t fall short in that department, ponying up dough to keep that commitment as firm as possible. That said, USC isn’t the only school with deep donor pockets.
Deion Sanders has plenty of connections at CU, and he can also offer immediate playing time. Auburn, meanwhile, offers the chance to play in the SEC where the athletic budgets are biggest.
Will he flip? There’s certainly smoke, and Lewis has done little to calm the hysteria.
This month alone, he’s travelled the country, making stops in Los Angeles, Auburn, and Boulder to take a closer look at his leaders. After his most recent trip to Colorado, the whispers revolving around his USC commitment grew louder.
A Buffalo player eve teased the idea of flip during that visit, further fueling the fire. A week later, Lewis himself fanned the flames.
JuJu Lewis posted a cryptic message about his football future on Sunday.
We walk to the smoke not away from it. Played against 65 defensive players with D1 offers last season @Carrollton_High #MoreWorkToDo in 2024.
#AlmostTime
-Julian Lewis / X: @JuJuLewis10
Typically, that message wouldn’t raise eyebrows. It seems he’s just looking ahead to his final high school season. Nothing more, nothing less.
But this is arguably the most prized player in the ’25 cycle, and given the decommitment rumors, those on social media dug a bit deeper into its intended meaning.
“Sounds like a man ready to decommit from a coach that loves to run from the smoke.”
“He must’ve heard of about USC ducking LSU and Ole Miss smoke.”
“The best play in the SEC.”
While Auburn and Colorado tried to convince themselves that a flip was imminent, USC supporters read the message differently.
“JuJu said you can save the games against SW Bourbon St. He wants the best every week.”
Was there a deeper meaning? Was it just an innocent post about his senior season? Fans will believe what they want to believe!