The Wolverine

April 2012

The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports

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COMMITMENT PROFILE Detroit Cass Tech Cornerback Jourdan Lewis Picks His Childhood Favorite Detroit Cass Tech defensive back Jour- dan Lewis may have been the least sur- prising. Not because cornerbacks who come out of Cass Tech are destined to commit to U-M — although that seems to be the case in recent years — but rather because Lewis made it no secret that a Michigan commitment could soon follow, once he received a scholarship offer. Of Michigan's six commitments Feb. 18, Coach Fred. Then Coach Fred said he was going to offer me the next day. I wanted to commit, but my mom and I talked about it, and she wants me to just hold on for a minute. Lewis committed along with teammate and offensive lineman David Dawson Feb. 18. The two Cass Tech players were commitments No. 6 and 7 for Michigan, and part of a recruiting weekend that That "minute" lasted just 16 days, and " Cass Tech coach Thomas Wilcher, on Lewis "He's probably the most athletic, most versatile guy we've got. I like him on offense, at wide receiver. He's one of those types of kids that will attack the ball. He'll go get it. If the ball is thrown up in the air, he's going to catch it. That's what he's going to do." asserted in January, before receiving his offer. "I know where I want to go, but we'll see if it works out. "Michigan's at the top of the list," he Signing Day for the 2012 class, and Lewis reaffirmed that it was the one he had been waiting for. However, he was a bit coyer about whether he was going to commit immediately. "Coach Fred Jackson called Coach That Michigan offer came through on " [Thomas] Wilcher, and he told me that Michigan was going to offer, "I was in the locker room for basketball, and Coach Wilcher wanted me to talk to " Lewis said. saw the number of pledges reach 11. Lewis joins 2012 Michigan signees Royce Jenkins-Stone (a linebacker) and Terry Richardson (a cornerback) as members of Cass Tech's 2011 state title team to move on to Michigan. Lewis has some distinct differences from recent Cass Tech cornerbacks, in- cluding Richardson. Unlike previous prospects to emerge from the school, Lewis is not undersized as a defen- sive back. While he's still a skinny 170 pounds, he has more than a year to build up his body to be ready for the rigors of Division I football. More importantly, to make interceptions and break up passes. He closes very quickly on the receiver and even with a cushion, it's very difficult to add yardage after the catch against him. Lewis also demonstrates excellent hands, and his film on offense and defense features several impressive catches. That will help him take advantage of poor passes, and even some good ones with solid coverage. Once Lewis has the ball in his hands, his agility and feel for moving through traffic is exceptional. He can make would-be tacklers miss with ease. Areas of Improvement: Lewis weighs under 170 pounds, and he will need to bulk up to withstand the rigors of Big Ten football. He doesn't pack much power into his tackles and will have trouble jamming bigger receivers off the line until he adds weight and muscle. Lewis plays a bit of a "freelance" style defensively. He will have to maintain Strengths: Lewis shows excellent break on the ball, and uses his closing speed FILM EVALUATION Lewis, a 5-11 defensive back, was part of Detroit Cass Tech's 2011 state title team. PHOTO COURTESY RIVALS.COM the nation's No. 167 prospect stands a healthy 5-11, a far cry from the 5-7 to 5-9 range that has been seen in recent Cass Tech corners Dior Mathis, Bobcat Cas- sock and Richardson. Despite differences in stature, he still carries the torch as an elite coverage corner. "All he did this year is come out and fill the shoes of the guys before him," said Wilcher. "We've got guys who can take advantage of that opportunity to make the plays. I know the team had success, but we must continue to work at it though. fensive backfield, but also on offense. That was never more apparent than in the state championship game, when he caught four passes for 89 yards and a touchdown in Cass Tech's 49-13 blow- out over Detroit Catholic Central. He amassed over 1,200 all-purpose yards and 11 touchdowns on offense, while also reeling in eight interceptions de- fensively. "He's probably the most athletic, most versatile guy we've got," said Wilcher. "I Lewis filled shoes not only in the de- " but played at nearly 200 pounds as a senior, and was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals in 2007. Lewis has similar coverage ability and needs to follow Hall's example putting on bulk in the weight room. — Analysis from TheWolverine.com sound technique and carry out his assignments at the next level, even if it means he makes fewer big plays. College coaching should correct that quickly on the practice field at Michigan. Michigan Player Comparison: Leon Hall entered Michigan undersized in 2003, like him on offense, at wide receiver. He's one of those types of kids that will at- tack the ball. He'll go get it. If the ball is thrown up in the air, he's going to catch it. That's what he's going to do. gry for defensive backs that can make plays on the ball, and if Lewis' offensive skills help him earn interceptions on D, the Wolverines' veteran defensive coor- dinator will not complain. Greg Mattson's defense is always hun- " — Tim Sullivan APRIL 2012 THE WOLVERINE 69

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