The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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AUGUST 2019 THE WOLVERINE 69 COMMITMENT PROFILE W hen Williamstown (N.J.) High three-star defen- sive end Aaron Lewis quietly set up an official visit to check out Michigan from June 21-23, it became very clear that he was seriously considering the Wolverines despite being committed to West Virginia since April. The 6-5, 240-pounder — the No. 16 recruit in New Jersey and No. 43 strongside defen- sive end nationally per Ri- vals — knew that he wanted to visit Michigan and tried to go about everything the right way. "We talked to West Virginia and told them that we were taking a visit to Michigan," Lewis said. "They didn't re- ally like it, but I really wanted to go and take that visit. I knew I had to go. "After that, I told Coach [Anthony] Campanile and Coach [Jim] Harbaugh that I wanted to visit. They said that they'd help us out and let us know how to do it and keep it quiet, and that's what we did. We just ended up making the visit." During that visit, Lewis saw a bet- ter future for himself in Ann Arbor and flipped his commitment from the Mountaineers to the Wolverines before heading back to New Jersey. "I just felt like I fit better at Michi- gan," Lewis said. "I was on the visit and hung out with the players a lot. I spent a lot of time with other visitors and the players on the team. It was just amazing. "I talked to them about everything, and we went out. It was perfect. I also spent a lot of time with the coaches. "Michigan just fit me well, and I knew it while I was there." Even though Lewis spent time with fellow Jersey guys Campanile and Chris Partridge, U-M's safeties coach, it might've been defensive line coach Shaun Nua that made the big- gest impact on the rising senior. "Coach Nua is such a cool guy," Lewis said. "He was such an outgo- ing guy during the visit, and I felt so comfortable with him. We matched the same energy as hype people. "Spending time with him was amazing. I'm really happy that he's my coach." Now that he's committed, Lewis is looking forward to what his time on the field will be like. He is ready to take whichever path is best for him and is already excited about what the coaches have told him. "In high school, I move around a lot, and they said that it would be the case at Michigan, too," he said. "They said that my main po- sition would probably be an- chor, but that I could move around to D-tackle and even weakside D-end. "I'm 6-5, 245 right now, and they think I can play a lot of different spots." While moving around a lot as a junior, Lewis helped Williamstown to a 12-1 re- cord and the program's sec- ond sectional title. The big lineman compiled 102 total stops (40 solo), 25 tackles for loss, 16 quarterback hurries and six sacks last year. Because of his stellar year, Lewis was named The South Jersey Times De- fensive Player of the Year for 2018. He was also named to the All-Group 5 first team by NewJersey.com. — Brandon Brown Michigan Flips Aaron Lewis Away From West Virginia FILM EVALUATION Strengths: Aaron Lewis' best attribute is his upside. He is big, long and athletic, but is very raw and does not understand the intricacies of his position yet. In high school, he is very effective because of his burst and strength compared to his opponents, and he will have the opportunity to get a lot better at Michigan. Areas Of Improvement: Lewis has a long way to go in terms of his technique and overall form in just about every area. He needs to work on playing lower and with better leverage and also has a lot to learn about using his hands. He has the size, strength, length and athleticism to be very good, but he has to marry that with learning and mastering the skills of his position. Michigan Player Comparison: When you look at where Lewis is now you see a lot of former Wolverine Chris Wormley. Lewis is a little thinner and probably more naturally athletic, but like Wormley he could grow big enough to play on the interior and could be a force a few years into his Michigan career. Wormley had a bigger overall body, but Lewis isn't too far off as a rising senior and could certainly develop into "Wormley lite" at U-M. — Analysis from TheWolverine.com The South Jersey Times tabbed Lewis as its Defensive Player of the Year after he recorded 102 tackles, 25 stops behind the line of scrimmage and six sacks for Williamstown (N.J.) High as a junior. PHOTO COURTESY RIVALS.COM Lewis "I just felt like I fit better at Michigan. I was on the visit and hung out with the play- ers a lot. I spent a lot of time with other visitors and the players on the team. It was just amazing."