Brent Schrotenboer, USA TODAYTue, November 25, 2025 at 7:14 PM UTC·3 min readColorado football coach Deion Sanders has pulled a reverse and decided to redshirt freshman quarterback Julian “JuJu” Lewis, who will not play Saturday Nov. 29 in the season finale at Kansas State.
Sanders made the announcement at his weekly news conference Tuesday while admitting that he’s “not going to say (Lewis) was happy” with the decision.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisement“I’ve made a decision that JuJu is gonna redshirt,” Sanders said. “That’s my decision. I want what’s best for the kid, what’s best for his family, what’s best for this wonderful university.”
Lewis said after his first career start at West Virginia Nov. 8 that he didn’t want to redshirt and instead wanted to play it out this season after sitting so long on the bench. Sanders also said his redshirt plan was to go with the player’s wishes, telling reporters Nov. 1 that he's "not gonna mandate" that decision. TNT reported during its broadcast Nov. 8 that Colorado said it planned to not redshirt him.
Colorado quarterback Julian Lewis (10) runs out of the pocket during the third quarter against West Virginia at Milan Puskar Stadium.What does this decision by Deion Sanders mean?
According to NCAA rule, players can play in up to four games in a season and not lose that season of eligibility, making it a so-called redshirt year. Lewis has played in four games so far, including two starting assignments the past two weeks. By playing at Kansas State, he would return next year as a sophomore with three years of college eligibility left instead of as a redshirt freshman with four seasons left. Players have five years to play in four seasons under current rules.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThe whole redshirt issue still might be moot anyway, because litigation is underway seeking to allow players to have five years to play in five seasons. A court hearing in Nashville, Tennessee, in Dec. 15 could lead to an injunction against the NCAA’s four-year eligibility limit, but only involves five players for now.
Head coach Deion Sanders of the Colorado Buffaloes walks the sideline during the first quarter against the Wyoming Cowboys at Folsom Field on Sept. 20, 2025 in Boulder, Colo.
Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders reacts after a play during the third quarter against the Houston Cougars at TDECU Stadium in Houston on Sept. 12, 2025.
Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders before the game against the Delaware Fightin Blue Hens on Sept. 6, 2025 at Folsom Field in Boulder, Colo.
Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders congratulates Colorado Buffaloes quarterback Kaidon Salter following a touchdown pass in the first quarter against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets at Folsom Field in Boulder, Colo. on Aug. 29, 2025.
2025: Colorado head coach Deion Sanders and head coach Todd Bowles look on during the 2025 Tampa Bay Buccaneers Training Camp at AdventHealth Training Center on July 23, 2025 in Tampa, Florida.
2025: Colorado head coach Deion Sanders speaks with the media during 2025 Big 12 Football Media Days at The Star on July 9, 2025 in Frisco, Texas.
2025: Head coach Deion Sanders of the Colorado Buffaloes looks on as a field goal drill is attempted in the Black and Gold Spring Game at Folsom Field on April 19, 2025 in Boulder, Colorado.
2025: Head coach Deion Sanders of the Colorado Buffaloes walks on the field during the Black and Gold Spring Game at Folsom Field on April 19, 2025 in Boulder, Colorado.
2024: Deion Sanders embraces Travis Hunter after the wide receiver/cornerback won the 2024 Heisman Trophy.
2024: Head coach Deion Sanders of the Colorado Buffaloes watches from the sidelines during the second half of the NCAAF game against the Arizona Wildcats at Arizona Stadium on October 19, 2024 in Tucson, Arizona.
2024: Head coach Deion Sanders of the Colorado Buffaloes watches as his team plays their spring game at Folsom Field on April 27, 2024 in Boulder, Colorado.
2024: Shilo Sanders (21), Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders, quarterback Shedeur Sanders (2) and social media producer Deion Sanders Jr. following a win against the Oklahoma State Cowboys at Folsom Field.
2023: Colorado football coach Deion Sanders and celebrity guest picker Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson exchange pleasantries on the set of ESPN College GameDay prior to the Buffaloes game against Colorado State at Folsom Field on Boulder, Colorado.
2023: Colorado coach Deion Sanders in attendance before the national championship game.
2022: Deion Sanders is introduced as the head coach of the University of Colorado.
2022: Deion Sanders during the Celebration Bowl. Sanders went 27-6 in three seasons leading Jackson State.
2021: Deion Sanders coaches during the Celebration Bowl. Sanders required a scooter following blood clot issues that ultimately led to the amputation of some toes.
2017: Deion Sanders, working for NFL Network, interviews New England Patriots running back LeGarrette Blount during Super Bowl LI Opening Night at Minute Maid Park.
Melissa Stark (left), Deion Sanders (center) and Kurt Warner (right) smile during an NFL Network broadcast at the Super Bowl XLIX NFL Experience at the Phoenix Convention Center on Jan. 26, 2015.
Rich Eisen (left), Deion Sanders (center) and Michael Irvin on the NFL Network set before the "Thursday Night Football" game between the Houston Texans and the Jacksonville Jaguars at EverBank Field on Dec. 5, 2013.
2013: Deion Sanders as "Leon Sandcastle" of Primetime University arrives on the red carpet prior to the first round of the 2013 NFL Draft at Radio City Music Hall in New York City.
NFL network broadcaster Deion Sanders interviews San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Michael Crabtree during media day in preparation for Super Bowl XLVII against the Baltimore Ravens at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on Jan. 29, 2013.
2011: Former Atlanta Falcons cornerback Deion Sanders poses with his bust at the Enshrinement Ceremony for the Pro Football Hall of Fame on August 6, 2011 in Canton, Ohio.
Deion Sanders makes his return to football with the Baltimore Ravens after a three-year retirement in the 2004 season opener iat Cleveland Browns Stadium on Sept. 12, 2004. The Browns beat the Ravens, 20-3, in the game.
2003: Deion Sanders and family celebrate Kids Day at the New York Knicks vs. New Orleans Hornets NBA game at Madison Square Garden in New York, on Nov. 29, 2003.
2000: Washington's Deion Sanders jukes the Detroit Lions' Brock Olivo at the Silverdome in Pontiac, Michigan, on Sept. 10, 2000.
1999: Dallas Cowboys defensive back Deion Sanders acknowleges the cheering crowd after intercepting his first pass of the game versus the Miami Dolphins at Texas Stadium, November 25,1999 in Irving, Texas.
The Dallas Cowboys' Deion Sanders outdistances Indianapolis Colts defensive back Tito Wooten to score a touchdown at the RCA Dome on Oct. 31, 1999.
1997: Deion Sanders at the plate for the Cincinnati Reds during the 1997 season. The Reds were among four different MLB teams that Sanders played for during a nine-season career.
On Oct. 11, 1992, Deion Sanders played in a game against the Miami Dolphins, then flew to Pittsburgh for the Atlanta Braves' NLCS game against the Pirates (he did not appear in the game).
Atlanta Falcons defensive back Deion Sanders (21) on a kick return against the Green Bay Packers at Fulton County Stadium on Dec. 1, 1991.
The Atlanta Braves' Deion Sanders bats against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on July 7, 1991.
The Atlanta Falcons' Deion Sanders in action against the Dallas Cowboys at Fulton County Stadium on Sept. 17, 1989.
Deion Sanders was a two-time All-American, the 1988 Jim Thorpe Award winner and a 2011 College Football Hall of Fame inductee.1 / 34See Deion Sanders' 'Prime Time' career in football, baseball and coaching
Head coach Deion Sanders of the Colorado Buffaloes walks the sideline during the first quarter against the Wyoming Cowboys at Folsom Field on Sept. 20, 2025 in Boulder, Colo.1 / 34See Deion Sanders' 'Prime Time' career in football, baseball and coaching
Head coach Deion Sanders of the Colorado Buffaloes walks the sideline during the first quarter against the Wyoming Cowboys at Folsom Field on Sept. 20, 2025 in Boulder, Colo.2 / 34See Deion Sanders' 'Prime Time' career in football, baseball and coaching
Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders reacts after a play during the third quarter against the Houston Cougars at TDECU Stadium in Houston on Sept. 12, 2025.3 / 34See Deion Sanders' 'Prime Time' career in football, baseball and coaching
Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders before the game against the Delaware Fightin Blue Hens on Sept. 6, 2025 at Folsom Field in Boulder, Colo.4 / 34See Deion Sanders' 'Prime Time' career in football, baseball and coaching
Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders congratulates Colorado Buffaloes quarterback Kaidon Salter following a touchdown pass in the first quarter against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets at Folsom Field in Boulder, Colo. on Aug. 29, 2025.5 / 34See Deion Sanders' 'Prime Time' career in football, baseball and coaching
2025: Colorado head coach Deion Sanders and head coach Todd Bowles look on during the 2025 Tampa Bay Buccaneers Training Camp at AdventHealth Training Center on July 23, 2025 in Tampa, Florida.6 / 34See Deion Sanders' 'Prime Time' career in football, baseball and coaching
2025: Colorado head coach Deion Sanders speaks with the media during 2025 Big 12 Football Media Days at The Star on July 9, 2025 in Frisco, Texas.7 / 34See Deion Sanders' 'Prime Time' career in football, baseball and coaching
2025: Head coach Deion Sanders of the Colorado Buffaloes looks on as a field goal drill is attempted in the Black and Gold Spring Game at Folsom Field on April 19, 2025 in Boulder, Colorado.8 / 34See Deion Sanders' 'Prime Time' career in football, baseball and coaching
2025: Head coach Deion Sanders of the Colorado Buffaloes walks on the field during the Black and Gold Spring Game at Folsom Field on April 19, 2025 in Boulder, Colorado.9 / 34See Deion Sanders' 'Prime Time' career in football, baseball and coaching
2024: Deion Sanders embraces Travis Hunter after the wide receiver/cornerback won the 2024 Heisman Trophy.10 / 34See Deion Sanders' 'Prime Time' career in football, baseball and coaching
2024: Head coach Deion Sanders of the Colorado Buffaloes watches from the sidelines during the second half of the NCAAF game against the Arizona Wildcats at Arizona Stadium on October 19, 2024 in Tucson, Arizona.11 / 34See Deion Sanders' 'Prime Time' career in football, baseball and coaching
2024: Head coach Deion Sanders of the Colorado Buffaloes watches as his team plays their spring game at Folsom Field on April 27, 2024 in Boulder, Colorado.12 / 34See Deion Sanders' 'Prime Time' career in football, baseball and coaching
2024: Shilo Sanders (21), Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders, quarterback Shedeur Sanders (2) and social media producer Deion Sanders Jr. following a win against the Oklahoma State Cowboys at Folsom Field.13 / 34See Deion Sanders' 'Prime Time' career in football, baseball and coaching
2023: Colorado football coach Deion Sanders and celebrity guest picker Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson exchange pleasantries on the set of ESPN College GameDay prior to the Buffaloes game against Colorado State at Folsom Field on Boulder, Colorado.14 / 34See Deion Sanders' 'Prime Time' career in football, baseball and coaching
2023: Colorado coach Deion Sanders in attendance before the national championship game.15 / 34See Deion Sanders' 'Prime Time' career in football, baseball and coaching
2022: Deion Sanders is introduced as the head coach of the University of Colorado.16 / 34See Deion Sanders' 'Prime Time' career in football, baseball and coaching
2022: Deion Sanders during the Celebration Bowl. Sanders went 27-6 in three seasons leading Jackson State.17 / 34See Deion Sanders' 'Prime Time' career in football, baseball and coaching
2021: Deion Sanders coaches during the Celebration Bowl. Sanders required a scooter following blood clot issues that ultimately led to the amputation of some toes.18 / 34See Deion Sanders' 'Prime Time' career in football, baseball and coaching
2017: Deion Sanders, working for NFL Network, interviews New England Patriots running back LeGarrette Blount during Super Bowl LI Opening Night at Minute Maid Park.19 / 34See Deion Sanders' 'Prime Time' career in football, baseball and coaching
Melissa Stark (left), Deion Sanders (center) and Kurt Warner (right) smile during an NFL Network broadcast at the Super Bowl XLIX NFL Experience at the Phoenix Convention Center on Jan. 26, 2015.20 / 34See Deion Sanders' 'Prime Time' career in football, baseball and coaching
Rich Eisen (left), Deion Sanders (center) and Michael Irvin on the NFL Network set before the "Thursday Night Football" game between the Houston Texans and the Jacksonville Jaguars at EverBank Field on Dec. 5, 2013.21 / 34See Deion Sanders' 'Prime Time' career in football, baseball and coaching
2013: Deion Sanders as "Leon Sandcastle" of Primetime University arrives on the red carpet prior to the first round of the 2013 NFL Draft at Radio City Music Hall in New York City.22 / 34See Deion Sanders' 'Prime Time' career in football, baseball and coaching
NFL network broadcaster Deion Sanders interviews San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Michael Crabtree during media day in preparation for Super Bowl XLVII against the Baltimore Ravens at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on Jan. 29, 2013.23 / 34See Deion Sanders' 'Prime Time' career in football, baseball and coaching
2011: Former Atlanta Falcons cornerback Deion Sanders poses with his bust at the Enshrinement Ceremony for the Pro Football Hall of Fame on August 6, 2011 in Canton, Ohio.24 / 34See Deion Sanders' 'Prime Time' career in football, baseball and coaching
Deion Sanders makes his return to football with the Baltimore Ravens after a three-year retirement in the 2004 season opener iat Cleveland Browns Stadium on Sept. 12, 2004. The Browns beat the Ravens, 20-3, in the game.25 / 34See Deion Sanders' 'Prime Time' career in football, baseball and coaching
2003: Deion Sanders and family celebrate Kids Day at the New York Knicks vs. New Orleans Hornets NBA game at Madison Square Garden in New York, on Nov. 29, 2003.
26 / 34See Deion Sanders' 'Prime Time' career in football, baseball and coaching
2000: Washington's Deion Sanders jukes the Detroit Lions' Brock Olivo at the Silverdome in Pontiac, Michigan, on Sept. 10, 2000.
27 / 34See Deion Sanders' 'Prime Time' career in football, baseball and coaching
1999: Dallas Cowboys defensive back Deion Sanders acknowleges the cheering crowd after intercepting his first pass of the game versus the Miami Dolphins at Texas Stadium, November 25,1999 in Irving, Texas.28 / 34See Deion Sanders' 'Prime Time' career in football, baseball and coaching
The Dallas Cowboys' Deion Sanders outdistances Indianapolis Colts defensive back Tito Wooten to score a touchdown at the RCA Dome on Oct. 31, 1999.29 / 34See Deion Sanders' 'Prime Time' career in football, baseball and coaching
1997: Deion Sanders at the plate for the Cincinnati Reds during the 1997 season. The Reds were among four different MLB teams that Sanders played for during a nine-season career.
30 / 34See Deion Sanders' 'Prime Time' career in football, baseball and coaching
On Oct. 11, 1992, Deion Sanders played in a game against the Miami Dolphins, then flew to Pittsburgh for the Atlanta Braves' NLCS game against the Pirates (he did not appear in the game).31 / 34See Deion Sanders' 'Prime Time' career in football, baseball and coaching
Atlanta Falcons defensive back Deion Sanders (21) on a kick return against the Green Bay Packers at Fulton County Stadium on Dec. 1, 1991.32 / 34See Deion Sanders' 'Prime Time' career in football, baseball and coaching
The Atlanta Braves' Deion Sanders bats against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on July 7, 1991.33 / 34See Deion Sanders' 'Prime Time' career in football, baseball and coaching
The Atlanta Falcons' Deion Sanders in action against the Dallas Cowboys at Fulton County Stadium on Sept. 17, 1989.34 / 34See Deion Sanders' 'Prime Time' career in football, baseball and coaching
Deion Sanders was a two-time All-American, the 1988 Jim Thorpe Award winner and a 2011 College Football Hall of Fame inductee.Sanders still said this decision is “best for the program” and is betting Lewis will be around long enough to take advantage of four more full seasons.
Colorado is 3-8 this year and is “trying to play spoiler this week” against Kansas State, Sanders said. The Wildcats are 5-6 and trying to become eligible for a bowl with a win against Colorado Saturday.
Veteran quarterback Kaidon Salter will start in Lewis’ place after previously being demoted.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisement“It’s best for everyone, but mainly it’s great for him” Sanders said. “So I’m not going to say he was happy because he’s a competitor. He wants to compete. He wants to play.”
Lewis, a top recruit out of Carrollton, Georgia., finishes the season having completed 52 of 94 passes for 589 yards and four touchdowns and no interceptions. Colorado lost his two starts at West Virginia and last week against Arizona State, but he's shown flashes of moxie and poise at age 18. Colorado has started three different quarterbacks this season, including Lewis, Salter and Ryan Staub.
Follow reporter Brent Schrotenboer @Schrotenboer. Email: [email protected]
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Deion Sanders flips on Julian Lewis redshirt: Says it's 'my decision'
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