Julian “JuJu” Lewis is already getting a feel for what Colorado’s offense is supposed to look like in 2026, and the early read is a simple one: the Buffaloes want the ball moving fast and in space.
Speaking at Big 12 Football Media Days, the expected Colorado starting quarterback offered his first real breakdown of Brennan Marion’s new “Go-Go” system. Lewis said the scheme gives him plenty to work with, especially when it comes to quick throws and chances for explosive gains after the catch.
“The ‘Go-Go’ offense is amazing,” said Lewis in an interview with ESPN. “It gives you a lot of opportunities for shots and a lot of short stuff.
It’s going to be a lot of yards after the catch with all of the athletes we’ve got. So, just dink and dunks and getting paid off of that.”
That’s a clear shift in feel from the offense Colorado ran under former coordinator Pat Shurmur. His spread, pro-style approach asked a lot of the quarterback and leaned heavily on arm talent and movement outside the pocket. It worked for Shedeur Sanders, who was a rare talent, but the drop-off after he left made the difference obvious.
Marion’s version is built to fit the personnel around Lewis instead of piling everything on his shoulders. The idea is to let the playmakers do damage once the ball is in their hands, which should make life easier for a quarterback entering his first full season as the starter.
Lewis also pointed to two wideouts he expects to lean on right away: Danny Scudero and Kam Perry.
Scudero arrives after leading the FBS in receiving in 2025 with 1,297 yards and 10 touchdowns for San Jose State. He was the receiver Deion Sanders chose to represent Colorado at Big 12 Media Days, and he has already started to establish himself as a leader in Boulder.
Perry made his own impression during spring ball, backing up the production he showed at Miami University. He put up 976 yards and six touchdowns in 2025 and even delivered a catch-of-the-year candidate against Western Michigan in the MAC Championship.
Kam Perry hello!We got a good one going for the MAC Championship between Miami Ohio and Western Michigan!#MACtion #WMUpic.twitter.com/NbLhLc6LnU
The receiving talent is part of the appeal, but Colorado’s offense may be leaning even harder into the run game than it has in recent years. Buffs offensive lineman Yahya Attia said during the spring that the team is moving toward a run-first identity in 2026.
“Out of five plays, we’ve got six runs,” said Attia on April 1.
If that ground game comes together, it should make the passing attack easier for Lewis to manage. The run game can set the table, and the Go-Go offense appears designed to cash in once defenders start chasing.
In Other News...
Julian Lewis Just Raised A Troubling Question About Colorados QB Development
Julian Lewis spent his true freshman season learning what life looks like when the college game starts moving faster than the prep level, and Colorado is now trying to make sure that lesson comes with some structure. The Buffaloes overhauled their staff after a 2025 season in which the offense never found much rhythm, bringing in Brennan Marion to run the attack and giving the program a fresh start on that side of the ball.
The bigger concern is what Lewis own comments suggest about how he was being developed. Colorado needs its young quarterback to grow into a more complete operator, not just a talented arm, and the new coaching setup is clearly built to push him in that direction. With Chris Marve also joining the staff on defense, the Buffs are spending the offseason trying to reset the whole operation, but the quarterback question may be the one that matters most when 2026 arrives. [Read more 🡒]
Deion Sanders Just Changed The Pressure On Colorados New QB
Deion Sanders latest update on Colorado came with a reminder that the Buffaloes rebuild is about more than just the quarterback room. As he continues his own recovery from bladder cancer, Sanders has been talking about restoring the programs competitiveness while also easing the burden on Julian Lewis, the young starter who is stepping into a much bigger role than most players his age are asked to handle. The message around Boulder is clear: the offense needs to be steadier, the quarterback needs better protection, and the new pieces around him have to help carry some of the load.
One of those pieces is receiver Danny Scudero, who Sanders has pointed to as an important offensive presence as Colorado adjusts under new coordinator Brennan Marion. The scheme itself is changing, too, with the Buffaloes leaning into a different look and trying to create more structure for Lewis rather than asking him to do everything. Sanders has been careful not to overstate what the freshman needs to be right away, but the way he talks about Scudero and the new system suggests Colorado is trying to make the job as manageable as possible while still expecting the offense to take a real step forward. [Read more 🡒]
Danny Scudero Sounds Ready To Be Colorados Next Must-Watch Weapon
Danny Scudero arrived at Colorado with the kind of confidence the Buffaloes can use in a receiver room that has been reshuffled and reloaded again. The San Jose State transfer spoke at Big 12 media days about how eager he is for the season, his place in the offense and the chemistry he has been building with teammates, while also showing plenty of appreciation for Brennan Marions system and the way it is designed to put playmakers in position to make an impact.
Scudero also made clear he has a chip on his shoulder after being left off the preseason All-Big 12 team, a slight he believes he should have avoided. Colorados passing game is getting some added optimism from the return of healthy DeAndre Moore Jr. and Joseph Williams, and Scuderos arrival only adds to the sense that there are more options emerging around the Buffaloes offense than there were a year ago. [Read more 🡒]