DeWayne Lewis

DeWayne Lewis (born October 4, 1985) is an American former football cornerback.

While attending high school, Lewis won the Colorado state championship in both the 100-meter and 200-meter sprints three consecutive years. He played college football at Michigan State University for 3 years under coach John L. Smith and ran track and field. Lewis was all Big Ten in track and field posting some of Big Ten fastest 60 meter dash times. Lewis received an art degree before transferring to Southern Utah University (SUU). He advanced to the NCAA Track and Field Championships in 2009, won nine conference NCAA championships twice in the 100-meter sprint, and four times broke the school record in the 60-meter dash and 100-meter dash. He was selected by USA Football to play for the 2011 United States national American football team. He helped lead Team USA to the gold medal at the 2011 IFAF World Championship in Austria and was selected as an All-World defensive back and received the award as the Best Defensive Back at the World Championship.

Early life Lewis attended Thomas Jefferson High School in Denver, Colorado, where he led his team to the quarterfinal stage of the 2001 Colorado playoffs and to the semifinals in 2002. Lewis was also the fastest sprinter in the State of Colorado, winning the state championship in both the 100-meters and 200-meters three straight years.

College career

Michigan State In college, Lewis continued to compete in both football and track. He competed in track at Michigan State University, running the 60-meter event in 6.87 seconds in February 2006, and winning the event at the 2006 Kangaroo Invitational. Lewis also participated in Michigan State's spring football practice in 2005, but did not play in the regular season due to a shoulder injury. Michigan State head football coach John L. Smith said at the time that he liked Lewis's speed and wanted him to return, but Lewis sought a transfer to be closer to his mother. Smith contacted SUU's defensive coordinator Cole Wilson, who recruited Lewis to SUU. After Lewis's performance against Montana State, SUU defensive coordinator Cole Wilson said: "He's got the right frame of mind. It's Division I football here. You can make it big-time wherever you are." He also ran a 4.26 40-yard sprint at BYU's pro day.

Lewis also competed in track at Southern Utah. He was a seven-time Mid-Continent Conference/The Summit League 100-meter champion while attending SUU. His sprinting career suffered a setback when he dislocated his shoulder at SUU's spring football game in April 2008. Lewis recalled the injury: "It was like a dagger. I felt like it was over for me, both track and football. But I stayed focused and keep the drive and determination and came back." At the West Regional, Lewis qualified to advance to the NCAA Track and Field Championships with a time of 10.40 seconds. Lewis recalled his participation in the NCAA Track and Field Championship: "That was a great experience. It doesn't get any higher than that: To get a chance to face those guys at the top of the collegiate level." He was named the conference's athlete of the week four times. In February 2009, Lewis was named one of the top 50 sprinters in the country. He was also named SUU's Male Athlete of the Year in April 2008.

Professional football Lewis had tryouts with multiple NFL teams but did not sign a contract.

2011 IFAF World Championship In June 2011, Lewis was selected by USA Football to play for the 2011 United States national American football team at the 2011 IFAF World Championship in Austria. With 13 tackles, three tackles for loss, two blocked punts, one interception, and three pass breakups in four games, Lewis helped lead Team USA to the gold medal at the 2011 World Championship. He was selected as a first-team All-World defensive back and received the award as the Best Defensive Back at the 2011 World Championship.