Deion Sanders describes his recruiting process after verbal commitment from Julian Lewis

Colorado made waves on Thursday when it landed a commitment from four-star quarterback prospect Julian Lewis, the No. 39 ranked player in the nation.

It was a massive recruiting win for coach Deion Sanders, whose touch in recruiting requires a little explanation.

But when he wants a player and truly goes after him, Sanders has some real respect. The relationship he built with Julian Lewis was the key differentiator in the recruitment.

So how does Sanders know when to strike up the conversation?

“When I feel it in my spirit,” Sanders explained on his weekly radio show. “‘Hey, get JuJu on the phone or get his papa on the phone. See if his dad want to come down and just sit down and chop it up with me.’ He sat in my office I think a few weeks ago for a couple hours, and I said, ‘C’mon, give it to me, because I know you’ve got a bunch of questions.’ And we did that.”

Lewis, who pulled his pledge from USC and noted quarterback guru Lincoln Riley, clearly felt at ease with the Colorado program.

Sanders points back to that conversation with Julian Lewis’ father.

“He walked away feeling really comfortable about where we’re headed,” Sanders said.

Not everyone can play for Deion Sanders. And while his recruiting methods have been poked at by various prognosticators, clearly something is working — with the Julian Lewis commitment as the latest reinforcement as such.

Colorado sits at 8-2, with a shot still at the Big 12 title and the College Football Playoffs. Few would have thought that possible when Sanders took the job two years ago.

So what does Sanders look for in a recruit?

“It’s got to be mutual. It’s got to be a fit,” he said. “It’s a lot of four- and five-stars and stars, stars, stars kids that they’re great players but sometimes it’s just not a fit. And I can feel it when they come on a visit. ‘Nah, take him off the board. Nah. No.’ But it has to be that, because if it’s not it’s not going to last.”

Colorado certainly hopes it’s got something that lasts in Julian Lewis.