He was a starting defensive back for the New York Titans (renamed the Jets in 1963) during their inaugural 1960 season and led the team with six interceptions in 14 games.

As a junior, Julian started all nine games at right halfback on both offense and defense for the 1958 Michigan Wolverines football team.

[8][9] Julian was Michigan's leading rusher in 1959, and his total of 289 yards remains the lowest in school history for a player who led the team in rushing.

Michigan head coach Bump Elliott arranged for Julian to get a tryout with the New York Titans (renamed the Jets in 1963) in the newly formed American Football League.

He tried out for the team at the Polo Grounds on July 7, 1960, and the Titans' head coach Sammy Baugh was reportedly impressed by Julian's "ability at one-to-one coverage.

[13][14] After a 27–7 victory over the Los Angeles Chargers, Titans general manager Steve Sebo singled out Julian as "the best defensive back on the field.

According to William Ryczek's history of the New York Jets, Julian was a starter for the Titans in all of their pre-season games, but the team released him before the start of the regular season due to his imminent induction into the military.

[18] In 1969, Julian returned to Grand Rapids and became the head football coach at West Catholic High School.