Coloradofootball coachDeion Sandershas pulled a reverse and decided to place a "redshirt" on freshman quarterback Julian "JuJu" Lewis, who will now sit out his team's season finale atKansas Stateas a result.
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.
"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 Nov. 8 after his first career start at West Virginia thathe didn't want to redshirtand instead wanted to play in the rest of the team's games 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. 1that he's "not gonna mandate" that decision. TNTreported during its broadcast Nov. 8that Colorado said it planned to not redshirt him.
Colorado lost Lewis's two starts at West Virginia and last weekagainst Arizona State, but he's shown flashes of moxie and poise at age 18. Colorado quarterback Kaidon Salter instead will start against Kansas State on Saturday Nov. 29 afterpreviously being demoted.
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 a 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 contests. By playing at Kansas State, he would exceed that limit and return next year as a sophomore with three years of college eligibility left. By sitting out for the final game on Saturday, Lewis instead will return in 2026 as a redshirt freshman with four seasons left. Players have five years to play in four seasons under the current rule.
The redshirt issue still might be moot anyway, because litigation is underwayseeking to allow players to have five years to play in five seasons. A court hearing in Nashville, Tennessee, on Dec. 15 could lead to a preliminary injunction against the NCAA's four-year eligibility limit, but itonly would affect five players for nowif granted.
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." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
2000: Washington's Deion Sanders jukes the Detroit Lions' Brock Olivo at the Silverdome in Pontiac, Michigan, on Sept. 10, 2000." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
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." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
See Deion Sanders' 'Prime Time' career in football, baseball and coaching
Sanders still said this decision is "best for the program" and is betting Lewis might be around long enough to take advantage of four more seasons through 2029.
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 postseason bowl game with a win against Colorado Saturday.
"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."
Decision removes injury risk for Julian Lewis
Lewis, atop recruit out of Carrollton, Georgia., finishes the season having completed 52 of 94 passes for 589 yards and four touchdowns and no interceptions. Colorado has started three different quarterbacks this season, including Lewis, Salter and Ryan Staub.
All have struggled to replace last year's starting quarterback, Shedeur Sanders, Deion's son, who made hisNFL starting debut Sundayin a 24-10 win for the Cleveland Browns at Las Vegas.
By sitting Lewis against Kansas State, Deion Sanders also is avoiding the risk of injury to Lewis. His son Shedeursuffered a fractured back in 2023as the Colorado offensive line gave up the second-most sacks in the nation (56). This year, Colorado has given up the most sacks in the Big 12 (35), just like they last year (43),
Follow reporter Brent Schrotenboer@Schrotenboer. Email: bschrotenb@usatoday.com
(This story was updated to add new information).
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Deion Sanders flips on Julian Lewis redshirt: Says it's 'my decision'
