Colorado quarterback Julian Lewis lit up Big 12 Media Days with a line that traveled fast, and Deion Sanders Jr. was just as quick to jump in and defend what he heard.
Lewis, speaking briefly on ESPNU after Colorado’s appearance in Frisco, Texas, said, “I'm actually looking at the defenses now. Last year we wasn't really looking at defenses much, just kind of high school, freeballing, just out there playing football. But it's a lot bigger than that now, so, should be fun,”
That “freeballing” comment set off plenty of reaction, with some fans and analysts taking it as a swipe at how Colorado operated last season. Sanders Jr. pushed back on that reading on X, formerly Twitter, writing, “They know good & well what JuJu meant… You can hate the play calling, but Coach Shurmur taught coverages & etc ..
Just let people hate. It’s summer time… money slow right now for everybody”
He wasn’t the only one backing Lewis. Incoming offensive coordinator Brennan Marion also defended the quarterback on social media and questioned the experience of people weighing in on what it means to play the position in college.
The reaction came because Lewis’ wording opened the door to bigger theories about Colorado’s offense and how Deion Sanders runs the program. His “free balling” line made it sound, to some listeners, like the Buffs were simply playing without much structure. That fed into criticism tied to Colorado’s struggles last season, when the offense finished No. 116 out of 136 FBS teams at 20.9 points per game and the run game ranked 15th out of 16 Big 12 teams.
Pat Shurmur is no longer in the offensive coordinator role for 2026, and Marion is now bringing a different energy to the system being installed in Boulder. Lewis also described the new “Go-Go” offense as “amazing” while talking through how the Buffaloes are adjusting at Big 12 Media Days.
For Lewis, the setup should give him more chances to use his reads, arm and legs to create explosive plays. He also said there should be “a lot of yards after the catch” from the wide receiver group, with the offense built to spread defenses out and create one-on-one matchups for Colorado’s top playmakers.
There’s already buzz about who could benefit most. Marion recently went viral for an intense message to running back Richard Young before a long touchdown run in a scrimmage, while tight end Zach Atkins and wide receiver Hykeem Williams have also been mentioned as possible breakout names in the new system. Even former Colorado running back Phillip Lindsay has taken to Marion’s arrival in Boulder, adding to the sense of momentum around the offense’s direction.
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Marions track record at previous stops is part of why Lindsay is intrigued, with the new play caller having helped improve rushing attacks at UNLV and Sacramento State. Colorado will get an early test of that vision in its opener against Georgia Tech, a matchup that should offer a first glimpse at whether the staff move fans had been waiting for can actually change the feel of this offense. [Read more 🡒]
Georgia Tech Opener Just Got More Intriguing After Colorado Reality Check
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Sanders has made it clear he expects more from this group, and the opener at Georgia Tech on Sept. 3 should give an early read on whether the new-look offense and defense are ready to move past the inconsistency. Julian Lewis is set to be the focal point at quarterback, with Brennan Marion and Chris Marve taking over as coordinators, but the ranking underscores how much Colorado still has to prove before anyone can assume the reset is complete. [Read more 🡒]
Barrington Hargress Just Gave Buffs Fans A Reason For Hope
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Josiah Sanders, Ian Inman and Jalin Holland were all part of that upbeat assessment, and the broader message was clear: Colorado believes its returning core has spent the offseason attacking the areas that held it back. For a team trying to turn hard work into real results, those internal gains matter, especially with Hargress among the veterans expected to help steer the offense when the new season arrives. [Read more 🡒]