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Up close: Travis Lewis

OU linebacker Travis Lewis, shown sacking Cincinnati quarterback Dustin Grutza, leads the Sooners with 24 tackles and has three sacks. Michael Wyke/Tulsa World

 
By GUERIN EMIG World Sports Writer
Published: 9/18/2008  2:10 AM
Last Modified: 9/18/2008  3:13 AM

 NORMAN — Ryan Broyles, for all his early-season dazzle, isn't even the most consequential freshman on his own team. That, according to the Oklahoma stat sheet, is Sooner weakside linebacker Travis Lewis.

The redshirt freshman from San Antonio leads OU with 24 tackles and three sacks. The only two Sooners with more lost-yardage stops are Auston English and Gerald McCoy. And nobody plays with more fervor, Lewis having taken over for the departed Lewis Baker as OU's most vocal linebacker.

Not bad for a player who went through preaseason camp virtually unrecognized, while pundits and fans wondered whether Austin Box or Mike Balogun would start on the weak side.

Asked how Lewis made his move, position coach/defensive coordinator Brent Venables said: "Consistency, willingness to work, practicing with urgency, with a sense of desperation, willingness to fight for a job. Plus he's always been a bright student. He's a guy I've never had to say, 'Are you writing this down?' If it's out of my mouth or on the board, it's always written down."

Better still, Lewis has had little trouble applying his lessons to the field.

"It's exciting to see a young guy come along and start to figure it out," OU coach Bob Stoops said. "Travis is an excellent athlete. He has size and runs well. He's typical of what we're used to having at the weakside position."

He's just getting a head start is all.

So far so good?

With our D-line, it's so easy to make as many tackles as I have. I'm basically playing clean-up behind those guys. They're getting double-teamed. Sometimes they have to triple-team 'G.K.' (McCoy). Austin and Mike can do the same thing I'm doing.

Any specific problems?

On some of my blitzes or when I take on linemen, I'm a little high. I played running back and safety in high school. I'm not used to the linebacker thing totally yet. Hopefully throughout the year I can clean up that technique and my alignments and get better.

Was football your first love growing up?

Playing with my brothers and sisters, that's what I loved doing. I grew up in a big family, with three brothers and three sisters. I couldn't imagine any other way.

Did you get picked on?

I was second from the bottom, but my size was to my advantage. I didn't get picked on much by anybody.

Are you still close to your siblings?

We talk almost every day. I love going back home, going to my brother's high school's games. He's a junior. My other brother just got into college in San Antonio. I've been giving him tips, telling him you're actually going to have to study in college. He goes to a community college in San Antonio. One of my sisters just had a baby. That's pretty exciting. I can't wait to go back home and see him for the first time. I've got two nephews now. My other nephew was at my spring game last year with the whole family.



Guerin Emig 581-8355
guerin.emig@tulsaworld.com

LEWIS FACTS

Position: Weakside linebacker

Class: Freshman

Height: 6-2

Weight: 232

Hometown: San Antonio

By GUERIN EMIG World Sports Writer

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5055567475852000, Euless (9/18/2008 6:40:34 AM)
"Not bad for a player who went through preaseason camp virtually unrecognized"

Wrong Emig: He was neck and neck with Box the entire spring, and now his physical ability and speed has pushed him past Box. Balogun is essentially done for the year and a big disappointment; he and Bryant both have been yanked off of the kick coverage team.
 

 
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