Colorado QB signee Julian Lewis named Gatorade Georgia Football Player of the Year

Carrollton star quarterback Julian Lewis has once again been recognized as the top high school player in the state of Georgia.

On Friday, the Colorado Buffaloes signee and four-star recruit was named the 2024 Gatorade Georgia Football Player of the Year. He also took home the award in 2023, when he was named one of three finalists for the National Player of the Year.

So far this season, Lewis has led Carrollton to a 13-0 record, throwing for 3,272 yards and 44 touchdowns to just four interceptions. The Trojans are in the Class 7A GHSA state playoff semifinals and will play for a spot in the championship on Friday night. He is the first player from Carrollton High to win the award.

“Gatorade Player of the Year is the top honor in high school sports, celebrating the nation’s best high school athletes for their success on the field, in the classroom and in the community. The award distinguishes Lewis as Georgia’s best high school football player, and he joins an impressive group of alumni that spans CEOs, coaches and star athletes such as Emmitt Smith (1986-87, Escambia High School, Fl.), Peyton Manning (1993-94, Isidore Newman School, La.) and DJ Lagway (2023-24, Willis High School, Texas),” Gatorade wrote of Lewis in a press release.

Lewis is the No. 39 overall prospect and No. 6 QB in the 2025 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He’s also the No. 6 player in Georgia.

Julian Lewis signs with Colorado

Lewis put pen to paper and signed with Deion Sanders and Colorado on Wednesday, ending a whirlwind recruitment that saw the 6-foot, 186-pounder flip to the Buffaloes from USC on Nov. 21. Lewis was previously committed to the Trojans for well over a year and also reclassified up to the 2025 cycle.

“It’s a huge opportunity! What Coach Prime has been able to build in two seasons can’t be denied. I’ve had a chance to get to know him and believe that he can further develop me into the player and person that I want to be,” Lewis said of his commitment in a statement.

He headlines the Buffs’ class, which features 13 other signees and ranks No. 33 in the nation, according to the On3 Industry Team Recruiting Rankings.

Lewis has an On3 NIL Valuation of $1.3 million. The On3 NIL Valuation is the industry’s leading index that sets high school and college athletes’ projected annual value (PAV). The NIL valuation does not act as a tracker of the value of NIL deals an athlete has completed to date. It rather signifies an athlete’s value at a certain moment in time.

Julian Lewis Scouting Summary

On3’s scouting and rankings team writes this about Lewis as a prospect.

“Polished, productive signal caller with the skill set of an accurate distributor. Measured at 6-foot, 186 pounds with a 9 ⅜-inch hand at the On3 Elite Series prior to his senior season. Has been a touted prospect for some time, earning offers in middle school. Was initially a member of the 2026 cycle before reclassifying into 2025. A productive and efficient passer while playing in a high classification. Completed 66.4% of his passes for 3,094 yards (11.1 yards per attempt) and 48 touchdowns against two interceptions as a junior. Technically polished and is able to replicate his over-the-top throwing motion with consistency. Shows the ability to place passes without much variance in location. Quick and decisive decision-maker. Dangerous when working over the middle of the field on RPOs. Effective at working off of play action. Operates at a high level when in a clean pocket. Plays in an offense that often leans on the quick passing game.

“The youngest top quarterback prospect in the 2025 cycle, turning 17 years old a month into his senior season. Not physically imposing at this stage and arm strength registers on the lower end among highly-rated peers at the position after reclassifying. Primarily an in-structure quarterback – needs to improve his ability as a rusher (zero rushing touchdowns through two varsity seasons) and improviser against pressure in addition to size and play strength to hold up against contact in the pocket. A skilled, high-floor passer whose ultimate ceiling will be determined by the degree of his physical growth and improvement in athleticism and movement skills.”