Penn State Sports Magazine
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1490816
F E B R U A R Y 2 0 2 3 5 7 W W W . B L U E W H I T E O N L I N E . C O M started really having fun with it and just started making some big plays. BWI: What impressed you most about his play at linebacker? LEWIS: Just watching him evolve. It's all come naturally to him. I've been really impressed with how well he's learned to use his hands. He's always been able to run and has been very ex- plosive, but for a kid who had never played linebacker, there was a lot that just came naturally to him, a lot that you just can't teach. Like I told Coach [James] Franklin, the upside on this kid is incredible because he's still new to the position. He sees the ball really well, and that's one of those things you just can't teach. BWI: What's Kaveion like in the locker room? LEWIS: When he first came over, he was quiet. He's definitely a lead-by- example guy. He's a workhorse in the weight room and at practice. He always works hard. This year, he became more vocal because we needed him to. Honestly, one of the big reasons why I liked Penn State for him was because I wanted him to get around some of these other linebackers. They just naturally know how to develop linebackers there, so getting around some of those guys who can take him under their wing I think will be huge for him. But as a leader, he always lets his play do the talking. BWI: What did Penn State do to win his commitment? LEWIS: I would just say they were very consistent. When he first got his offer, Coach [Anthony] Poindexter called me, and I thought he was coming by himself, but sure enough, Coach Franklin came down to the school as well. Once they offered, they were on him all the time. Kaveion didn't start picking up of- fers until his junior season, so it was all pretty new to him at the time. What I told him to do was to look at all the coaches who came in and were consis- tent from the start. Who's really show- ing you that family atmosphere and that love? That's where you want to go. I always thought his heart was at Penn State. With North Carolina be- ing his first official visit, I thought that, wherever he would go first, he'd fall in love with it. North Carolina was one of his dream schools, but I think that he didn't believe he'd get to where he is now when all the offers came in. I told his mom to let him take it all in, don't commit to anyone early. He did go see both schools, but he committed to North Carolina a little too early. When it came to Penn State then, they were just so consistent. That re- lationship with [recruiting coordina- tor for personnel Alan Zemaitis], Coach Franklin and Coach Poindexter, I think it was the right place for him. BWI: Penn State's coaches said on signing day that Alan Zemaitis was a major reason Keys committed to Penn State. What are your thoughts on that? LEWIS: I met A.Z. a couple of years back because [former Penn State quar- terback] Michael Robinson is a friend of mine, and we played together at Varina. Of course, A.Z. and Michael played to- gether at Penn State. At first, it was mainly Coach Poind- exter. He did a great job with Kaveion, but once A.Z. got involved more and more, he was just on him so hard. He re- ally built an incredible relationship with Kaveion's mom. His mom thought that, at first, Penn State just really needed him and they were going to do whatever it took. I think as things went on, she learned that, while Penn State did really want him, they didn't need him, and there's a difference there. I told her that this probably would be one of the best places for him because they have talented guys. You want to go somewhere where you have to work for it and compete, and his dream is to go to the NFL. I think A.Z. did a good job showing her how they would take care of her son, how they would develop him, all of that. BWI: You mentioned Michael Robin- son. Does Kaveion know Michael? LEWIS: He knows Michael. I had Mi- chael come in one day and talk to him. It wasn't really about Penn State specifi- cally, but more so his journey and what it's like to be recruited. Michael did a great job giving him different questions to ask these coaches. He also asked Ka- veion what he's trying to get out of this situation. What degree do you want to have? How important is NIL and all of that? What do you want out of this situation? That way, you can really find what you want. It was a good talk. I appreciated Mike coming in to help. Mike's around Rich- mond a good bit still. BWI: What do you think Kaveion's ceiling is? LEWIS: I think he's a kid that can play either inside or outside linebacker. With him going to Penn State, he has the size and the frame to be successful. I could see him growing up to about 230 pounds and still having the ability to run and be explosive. His ceiling is really high, and I think Penn State is the right school to get that out of him. He has a lot of little things to learn, having only played the posi- tion for two years now. But that's what's exciting about Kaveion. All the physi- cal gifts are there, and a lot of this just comes naturally to him. ■ "His ceiling is really high, and I think Penn State is the right school to get that out of him. He has a lot of little things to learn, having only played the position for two years now. But that's what's exciting about Kaveion. All the physical gifts are there, and a lot of this just comes naturally to him." M A R C U S L E W I S O N K E Y S