2026 No. 1 overall prospect reclassifying, looks to take Indiana football visit in ‘near future’

The Indiana football program is being discussed in the same sentence as Alabama, USC, Michigan, Texas, Georgia and others when it comes to one of the top players in the country.

Carrollton (Ga.) High quarterback Julian Lewis, the former No. 1 player in the 2026 class, announced on Tuesday that he would be reclassifying to the 2025 class. While he’s committed to USC, he’s been very open about his recruitment not being shut down.

The programs he’s going to be taking into consideration? Indiana football, Alabama, Auburn, Georgia, Michigan and Texas — in addition to USC.

Why Indiana? The connection with new quarterbacks coach Tino Sunseri — someone Lewis has known since his childhood.

Sunseri came over from James Madison when Curt Cignetti took the head coaching job with Indiana and it could be paying dividends early on.

Lewis told 247Sports Director of Recruiting Steve Wiltfong that he wants to take a visit to Indiana in the ‘near future’.

“Coach Tino is my guy,” Lewis told 247Sports. “I’ve known him since I was eight-years old. He’s honestly the first college coach to notice me.”

Lewis is as talented as they come. In two high school seasons, he’s thrown for 6,952 yards with 93 touchdowns and just 14 interceptions. This past season he had 3,094 yards with 48 touchdowns and just two interceptions, per MaxPreps.

“More than comfortable operating on the move and can make a variety of high-level throws look relatively effortless. Owns cleaner mechanics and multiple camp performances have shown that he can rip tight spiral after tight spiral. Usually isn’t one to lock into his first read and will patiently go through his progressions, even in the face of pressure,” 247Sports national scouring analyst Andrew Irvins wrote. ” … Tailor made for a modern spread attack that wants to push the pace and constantly challenge defenses.”

With his move to the 2025 class, Lewis is ranked the No. 9 overall prospect and the No. 2 quarterback in the 247Sports Composite Rankings.

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