Spring Prospects: Julian Lewis

2026 quarterback Julian Lewis is special - we aren't breaking news there. Whether he ends up with the Tennessee Volunteers or not, this is a name to know.

Imagine having 173,000 social media followers, 25 offers, several Georgia state passing records, and a documentary team following you during your freshman year of high school. That sounds like a lot of responsibility and expectation, right? Well, that's 2026 quarterback Julian Lewis's reality.

Lewis has gone viral dozens of times for impressive throws and flashes of dominance. He led Carrollton High School to a 14-1 record, a state title appearance, and threw for 48 touchdowns... at 14 years old. The expectations are through the roof for him, but they haven't changed. Lewis has dealt with bright lights at each stop on his football journey and exceeded expectations.

Whether you are a college coach, media member, or football fan that happens to live in Georgia, it's worth making the trip to see him throw. Lewis commands a lot of attention, and rightfully so. He's the odds-on favorite to be the No. 1 player in 2026, and he's a must-see for me this summer.

Prospect: Julian Lewis

Projected Position: Quarterback

Vitals: 6-1 and 185 lbs.

School: Carrollton High School (Carrollton, Georgia)

Frame: Lewis has three high school seasons left before he gets to college - it's too early to project how his frame looks in college. He may not be done growing, which tells you how early he has become a national recruit. Lewis has been proportionally adding height and muscle for the last few years, meaning he should, at the bare minimum, be able to compete physically at the college level. 

Athleticism: Not a transcendent athlete, and his current size would hold him back from being a consistent designed runner in college. However, Lewis has plus athleticism that allows him to break contain and make plays with his feet. He has strong knee drive and has the raw athletic traits to make a few guys miss by compressing his hips to fit through tight windows.

Instincts: Lewis's "feel" for the game is his most impressive trait. It feels like he's floating above the playing field - he gets the play call, goes through his checks, and when the ball is snapped, he looks like a chess master while calculating everything on the field. He understands that if he shifts one way, the linebackers move another, the safeties rotate, and the defensive lineman pinches. These are taught concepts that require natural talent in practice.

Polish: The best high school thrower the state of Georgia has seen since... Trevor Lawerence? That feels like a lofty bar, but when you turn on the tape, it makes sense. Lewis has a silky smooth release that starts at the three-o-clock position and finishes down towards the seven-o-clock position. Furthermore, he executed high-level concepts from shotgun as a freshman - there's no telling what his football acumen will be once he reaches college.

Bottom Line: It's early, but Lewis is the consensus No. 1 player in 2026 for a reason. He's lived up to expectations at each step of the way despite carrying a massive burden. His love for football and unique persona is only outmatched by his sheer arm talent. Every, and I mean every, major program would take his commitment in a heartbeat.

Questions I Have: What does his frame look like in-person after his freshman season? What's his presence like? How does he compete with other quarterbacks? How attentive is he in drills, practices, etc.? Can he manipulate his blind side a bit better?

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