Latest buzz on the recruitment of USC 5-star QB commit Julian Lewis
Carrollton (Ga.) USC five-star quarterback commit Julian Lewis has scheduled official visits to Georgia (May 31-June 2), USC (June 7-9), Auburn (June 14-16) and Colorado (June 21-23).
On3’s Chad Simmons has the latest buzz on Lewis’ recruitment and where each school stands.
Lewis visited USC near the end of March, and by all accounts, it left the Trojans in a great position going forward. Simmons said that Lewis was able to sit down with USC head coach Lincoln Riley, spend time with players and explore the culture around Southern Cal and Los Angeles.
Of course, the biggest draw to the Trojans is Riley’s track record with quarterbacks. Three QBs have won a Heisman Trophy under him — Baker Mayfield, Kyler Murray and Caleb Williams, the latter coming at USC.
“Obviously, Lincoln Riley is kind of known as the quarterback whisperer,” Simmons said. “He develops quarterbacks, quarterbacks want to play for him. He targets select guys and those guys typically end up performing at a high level and getting drafted with accolades playing for a coach like him in a scheme like him.
“I think USC is in a better position to hold on to Juju than maybe they were a few months ago. I would’ve said earlier this year that Georgia was right there with USC. I think USC is in a better position now.”
Georgia, Auburn part of ‘bunched up’ second group
While USC appears to stand alone at the top of Lewis’ recruitment, the group playing catch up is a bit muddier. Simmons said that he believes Georgia, Auburn, Alabama and Colorado are “bunched up together again.”
“Georgia is of course the in-state school,” Simmons said. “He’s been there a few times this year already, he’s close with the staff and knows numerous players. He knows Georgia’s track record of player development and of competing for championships, of being on the national stage in the SEC and playing big game after big game. All of that appeals to him. Georgia is still very much a strong contender.”
Auburn is another school deep into this recruitment and one that seems to be building more and more buzz. Lewis visited the Plains twice in the month of March and had great things to say about the program earlier this winter.
The Tigers are also in on Corona (Calif.) Centennial four-star quarterback Husan Longstreet.
“Don’t sleep on Auburn,” Simmons said. “We’re still waiting to see what happens with Husan Longstreet, we’ll know that in a couple of days — Auburn is battling Texas A&M. If it goes Texas A&M’s way, Auburn will pick things up with Juju and keep going there. Obviously, if they get Longstreet, we’ll see what happens with Juju. But, Auburn is in this as well. Location, a chance to play, Hugh Freeze is going to get receivers for him to throw to. A lot of things make Auburn a threat in this race.”
Colorado making a push
Deion Sanders’ Buffaloes are another team sticking around in this recruitment. Sanders has recruited elite prospects to first Jackson State and now Colorado. Convincing Lewis to flip away from USC would be one of his biggest recruiting splashes yet, but a difficult task to do so.
“I think the biggest factor about Colorado is the OC, the NFL experience,” Simmons said. “Then, of course, what coach Prime is about. The swag, what comes with it outside of football with opportunities. We saw them get Jordan Seaton last year. Juju is all about the spotlight and the big stage, and it couldn’t be any bigger than playing for a guy like Deion Sanders.”
Future visit to Alabama not off the table
Kalen DeBoer has worked hard to rebuild Alabama’s role in Lewis’ recruitment after the retirement of Nick Saban. There was no room for the Tide to be added to the summer official visit schedule, but a visit to Tuscaloosa at a later date hasn’t been ruled out.
“Alabama has come on,” Simmons said. “He’s taken two visits there this year. They were always a contender under Nick Saban, maybe even the favorite to compete with USC if Saban were still there. But after the second visit with Kalen DeBoer, things have picked up from a momentum standpoint with Alabama. That second visit was key, and that’s put Alabama in a better position now than they were in two or three months ago.”
Final decision coming before senior season
While USC remains the clear leader for the Trojans commit, these other schools are certainly still pushing for one of the most talented passers in this 2025 group.
Right now, Simmons said Lewis’ focus is this weekend’s OT7 in Dallas, followed up with finishing out the school year at Carrollton. Then come the official visits, and a likely final decision before he begins his senior season.
“The one thing I can say for certain — that I feel the most confident in at this time — is that a final decision will be made by Juju and his camp before the beginning of his senior season,” Simmons said. “They are going all-in to win a state championship. They want no distractions, no recruiting. They only want to visit the school he’s locked in with during the season for games.
“So, the one thing I say with the most confidence at this point is that after the OVs, a final decision will be made. It will either be, ‘Hey, I’m locked in with USC,’ or ‘I’m flipping to one of these other schools.’
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