247Sports Names Julian Lewis Top NIL Disappointment
The Colorado quarterback lands on a list highlighting athletes failing to meet high expectations.
Updated on Oct. 23, 2026 in Football
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Colorado quarterback Julian Lewis is among six college passers identified by 247Sports as a disappointing NIL investment. The nineteen-year-old signal caller started the first four games of the 2026 season before being sidelined.
Why it matters
The ranking highlights growing scrutiny regarding the massive financial investments made into college athletes through name, image, and likeness deals. Poor offensive output during his time under center has brought Lewis under intense evaluation regarding his performance relative to compensation.
Julian Lewis recorded 733 passing yards, 6 touchdowns, and 2 interceptions with a 64.2 percent completion rate over four games. The Colorado offense averaged only 11.3 points in games against Northwestern, Baylor, and Georgia Tech under his leadership.
The players
Julian Lewis
Julian Lewis is the current Colorado quarterback who started four games in the 2026 season.
247Sports
247Sports is a prominent digital media outlet that provides comprehensive coverage and analysis of college football and recruiting.
Isaac Wilson
Isaac Wilson is the current starting quarterback for the University of Colorado football team.
The details
Lewis is grouped on the list with prominent college quarterbacks including Bryce Underwood, Arch Manning, Marcel Reed, John Mateer, and Rocco Becht. His struggles occur as the Colorado football program attempts to improve upon its 3-9 finish from the 2025 season.
Timeline
Colorado finished the 2025 season with a 3-9 record.
Julian Lewis started four games for the Buffaloes during the 2026 season.
Season Trajectory
The designation of Lewis as a disappointing investment highlights the persistent struggle of the Colorado offense to find rhythm following a 3-9 finish in 2025. With Isaac Wilson now starting, the team faces significant pressure to reverse its early-season scoring woes.
The shift to Isaac Wilson as the starter means the Colorado coaching staff is looking for immediate improvement in points-per-game production. Fans should monitor the quarterback rotation closely, as the offense averaged only 11.3 points under Lewis during his four-game stint.
The takeaway
The scrutiny surrounding NIL deals suggests that high compensation for college athletes is increasingly tied to tangible production on the field. Coaches and fans alike are prioritizing on-field efficiency over recruitment hype as the college football landscape continues to evolve.
Further reading
For more on the Buffaloes, visit the Boulder Football section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Sports Illustrated.
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