Sports

Colorado QB Julian Lewis Begged To Join Georgia Tech Team That Doesn’t Respect Him

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Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images / Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

Did Julian Lewis try to transfer to Georgia Tech?


The Colorado football team will face Georgia Tech in its Week 1 opener. The matchup represents a homecoming for starting quarterback Julian Lewis.

The Peach State native played high school football at Carrollton, less than an hour outside of Atlanta. He left to sign with Deion Sanders and the Buffs.

As fate would have it, he’ll return in his first season as Colorado’s full-time starter. If he’d gotten his way, according to a recent report, he’d be playing on the opposite sideline.

Did Julian Lewis try to transfer to Georgia Tech?

That question was posed by Jackets Online publisher Kelly Quinlan. He suggests the interest was very real.

A few people around Lewis were interested in him replacing Haynes King as the Jackets’ quarterback. Multiple sources confirmed to Jackets Online that people representing Lewis inquired about the talented quarterback coming home to Atlanta to play for Tech. This happened in early January when the transfer portal was still open. All communication was through back channels. To be clear, Lewis never entered the portal. Sources indicated that he was looking at his options following a rough first year in Colorado.

Lewis, or someone in his camp, reached out to Georgia Tech. The passer was reportedly unsure of his future following the midseason demotion, and later firing, of offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur.

He also wasn’t sure how he’d fit into replacement Brennan Marion’s scheme.

The uncertainty wasn’t reserved to Colorado, alone. The Yellow Jackets, too, were going through transition.

Offensive coordinator Buster Faulkner bailed for Florida. Anticipated starting quarterback Aaron Philo followed suit. There was an opening for Lewis to take the reins.

Ultimately, he stayed with the Buffs. Georgia Tech went into the transfer portal to get Alberto Mendoza. No harm, no foul.

Exactly what happened behind the scenes is unclear. In the end, it may have been the best situation for Lewis. His next opponent doesn’t appear to respect his abilities.

Yellow Jackets provided bulletin board material.

Earlier this offseason, defensive end Brayden Manley was asked about the season opener. More specifically, the Georgia Tech defender was asked about Julian Lewis.

Here’s what he had to say:

Manley called Lewis “a kid,” a potential jab at both his lacking experience and his 190-pound frame. He expects to live in the backfield on September 3rd. He is not worried about Julian Lewis or the Colorado offense.

It’s provided Buffs with bulletin board material ahead of the season opener. We’ll see if Lewis makes the Yellow Jackets eat their words a week from today.