Diamond in the Rough: Antoine Lewis, Villanova

 

Name: Antoine Lewis

School: Villanova

No.: 90

Ht.: 6’2’’          Wt.: 290

Pos: DT

Year: Senior

 

Game Notes:

Vs William & Mary (10/5/13)

While I saw Lewis get pushed off line early in the first quarter making a stand in the redzone, he recovered nicely by displaying great leverage for the remainder of the game. Lewis used his great explosion and punch off the line to control the line of scrimmage and command double teams from the zero and 1 tech position. Lewis showed he has a good speed when he contained the backside of a QB bootleg. Lewis has ample ability to plug run lanes, as well as the ability to disengage to grab ball carriers in his general vicinity. Lewis has great instincts on the line and a definite nose for the football, which he showed in a play where he easily peeled off his blocker to pursue a screen pass in the flat. Lewis is a vocal defensive leader for his team. Lewis finished the game with 4 solo tackles and contributed to several key short yardage stops in the redzone.

 

Highlights:

The Somers Point, New Jersey native received 2012 first team All-CAA honors in 2012 after a 30 solo tackle, 8.5 TFL, 1.5 Sack and 1 pass deflection season. This year, Lewis was named to the Buck Buchanon award watch list, which is given to the best defensive player in the FCS. He is also listed as a Preseason Third Team All American by Phil Steele and has been named to the First Team Defense on the North Squad for the 2013 FCS Senior Scout Bowl. Additionally, Lewis has been named Villanova’s defensive captain for the year. Through 5 games this year, Lewis has made 19 solo tackles, 2.5 TFL’s, and 1 Sack.

 

Verdict:

Antoine Lewis is a high motor interior defensive lineman with a lot of potential. On the field, he has showed a good balance of strength and athleticism to create a formidable 3 man pass rush for the Villanova defense. However, Lewis’s biggest asset lies in his ability to play the run. He showed great patience and the strength to command and defeat double teams, as well as the awareness to be in the proper position to make plays on and off the line. At 290 lbs, Lewis can be considered slightly undersized to play the nose guard, but his athleticism and strength give him the versatility to play across the defensive front. Overall, Lewis’s smart, passionate, and high motor should get him several looks toward the end of the draft as a rotational lineman. However, his stock has a lot of potential to rise if Lewis shines in post season All-Star games.

 

–Daniel Jonsson–

@HighDesertScout