A major shift in the 2025 recruiting landscape occurred Thursday when elite quarterback Julian “Ju Ju” Lewis from Carrollton High School (GA) committed to Colorado. Previously pledged to USC, Lewis withdrew from his commitment on Sunday, creating a significant victory for head coach Deion Sanders and the Buffaloes.
While Lewis’ decision didn’t directly involve Notre Dame, his recruitment set off a chain reaction that indirectly caused significant frustration for the Fighting Irish staff. The 6-foot, 185-pound quarterback was one of the most impactful figures in the quarterback carousel for the 2025 class, leaving a trail of ripple effects in his wake.
From Notre Dame’s perspective, Lewis wasn’t initially a target. Instead, during the offseason, he was heavily pursued by Auburn. By July, it seemed nearly certain he would join Auburn’s 2025 class, but contractual disagreements caused the two parties to part ways. Auburn eventually shifted focus to other quarterback options, including Deuce Knight, a former Notre Dame commit, and KJ Lacey, a Texas pledge.
Knight quickly became Auburn’s priority, leading to months of recruitment chaos. While Knight assured Notre Dame of his commitment, he simultaneously entertained Auburn’s advances. This duality caused constant headaches for Notre Dame’s staff as they navigated the uncertainty. Finally, in October, Knight officially decommitted from Notre Dame, forcing the Irish to regroup and secure former Clemson commit Blake Hebert as a replacement.
Had Lewis flipped to Auburn earlier, things might have unfolded differently. Auburn might not have pursued Knight, possibly leaving Notre Dame in a better position to retain their original commitment. However, Ole Miss and even Georgia could still have presented challenges for Knight’s recruitment.
The domino effect triggered by Lewis underscores the complexities of college football recruiting, where a single recruit’s decision can reshape plans for multiple programs. For Notre Dame, Lewis’ saga was a reminder of how the unpredictable nature of recruiting can create unintended consequences that ripple across the football landscape.
