Colorado didn’t see a big boost in its 2025 recruiting class on the first day of the early signing period, as it has in the past under Deion Sanders.

This time there was no last-second five-star addition. In fact, USC sent four-star safety Alex Graham, a Detroit standout, out of Colorado on Wednesday.

Still, it was a pretty good day for the Buffaloes, whose 13-man class is led by quarterback Julian Lewis.

With Shedeur Sanders heading to the NFL, Lewis — a four-star prospect ranked No. 36 overall in the 247Sports Composite — is expected to step in and immediately compete with rising sophomore Ryan Staub for the starting job.

Lewis was a star at Carrollton High in Georgia, throwing for 10,484 yards, 140 touchdowns and 18 interceptions in his prep career. Lewis, originally a member of the 2026 class, was committed to USC for much of the cycle before announcing his intention to sign with Colorado two weeks ago.

There are five other four-star prospects in the class: edge rusher London Merritt, offensive tackle Carde Smith, receivers Adrian Wilson and Quanell Farrakhan Jr., and interior offensive lineman Chauncey Gooden.

If there’s one thing Sanders has made clear in his first two years as coach at Colorado, it’s that he will go anywhere to find and develop talent. The Buffs’ 13 signees come from seven states.

Sanders isn’t afraid to play as a freshman, and no one has used the transfer portal more. That paid off, as the Buffaloes improved from 1-11 the year before his arrival to 9-3 in his second season in Boulder. His son Shedeur and Heisman front-runner Travis Hunter played a big part in that.

These big-name transfers weren’t the only ones – and it wasn’t just transfers that contributed to Colorado’s success. Yes, nine of the 27 high school recruits Colorado signed in Sanders’ first two cycles have already left the program. However, others have become important contributors.

Jordan Seaton, last year’s five-star recruit, started 12 games at left tackle this season. Hank Zilinskas, another three-star from the 2023 cycle and former defensive lineman, started nine games at center this season. Carter Stoutmire, a three-star defensive back from the class of 2023, started six games at safety this season. Receiver Drelon Miller (three starts in 2024) and running back Micah Welch (two starts in 2024) were among the true freshmen who made a splash this season.

Maybe Lewis will join that list next fall.

Required reading

(Photo by Deion Sanders: Nick Tre. Smith / Imagn Images)