Players wanting a specific jersey number may seem insignificant in the grand scheme of things in college football, but sometimes a jersey number has been with an athlete since they were young.
That’s the case for Colorado freshman quarterback Julian (Ju Ju) Lewis, who wore the number 10 throughout high school. The Buffaloes recently announced that Lewis will be able to keep his number despite it previously being worn by a Colorado legend.
Julian Lewis Reflects on the Honor of Wearing No. 10 at Colorado in Tribute to Kordell Stewart
Julian Lewis was one of the top recruits in the 2025 class. 247Sports‘ composite rankings had him listed as the No. 6 quarterback and No. 50 player in the country. He earned offers from some of the top programs in the country before committing to the Colorado Buffaloes.
Lewis wore the No. 10 throughout high school and hoped to wear it again at Colorado, but there was a minor hiccup. While the jersey number wasn’t officially retired, it had last been worn by Kordell Stewart, an iconic quarterback for the Buffaloes from 1991-94.
Stewart officially permitted Lewis to wear the number this season at Colorado, and in a recent X post, the young quarterback said he is ‘honored’ to be able to rep it.
Blessed to be able to wear 10 at CU @KSlash10 🐐 https://t.co/XcaUvLrlpd
— Julian “Ju Ju” Lewis QB (@JulianLewis10) June 26, 2025
Stewart responded to Lewis’s post and praised the young quarterback for his accomplishments thus far in his football journey.
From day one you’ve been doing your thing. Proud of you and keep doing what you’ve been doing 10!! Let’s SKOOOO 💪🏾🦬💪🏾
— Kordell Stewart (@KSlash10) June 26, 2025
“From day one you’ve been doing your thing. Proud of you and keep doing what you’ve been doing 10!! Let’s SKOOOO,” Stewart said.
As if the moment couldn’t get any more sentimental, Lewis’ father commended Colorado head coach Deion Sanders’ ability to deliver athletes things that may seem minor to most people, but matter a lot to the player.
Little things like getting your number for kids goes a long way. Thankful for @DeionSanders and the staff at CU for how they’ve made Julian’s transition to college life smooth. @JulianLewis10 @CUBuffsFootball #10 jersey’s available now @Fanatics pic.twitter.com/KpgCTVXI39
— T. Carlton Lewis (@TCarltonLewis) June 26, 2025
“Little things like getting your number for kids goes a long way,” Lewis’s father wrote. “Thankful for Deion Sanders and the staff at CU for how they’ve made Julian’s transition to college life smooth.”
Moments like this are what make college football so great. Stewart is a legend in Boulder, and his allowing Lewis to wear his number demonstrates the type of culture that Deion Sanders is cultivating at Colorado.
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Lewis is currently in a quarterback battle with Liberty transfer Kaidon Salter, and there’s a chance that he wins the starting job as a true freshman. If he doesn’t, Buffalo fans will have to wait another season until the young quarterback takes the helm in Colorado, but when he finally takes the field, he’ll be repping the No. 10.
