News & Events 2009-2010

Pitt's Lewis becoming star in a hurry

September 10, 2009 10:40 AM
Posted by ESPN.com's Brian Bennett

Dion Lewis didn't make it to his senior prom or any high school graduation parties. He was too busy working to become the next great Pittsburgh running back.

"I was just focused on being here," he said. "I didn't have time to worry about that other stuff."

Lewis had a goal in mind, which is why he graduated early from Blair Academy in New Jersey and enrolled at Pitt in January. There was playing time to be had, with LeSean McCoy leaving early for the NFL and LaRod Stephens-Howling graduated.

The 18-year-old Lewis worked his way to the top of the depth chart in spring practice, and on Saturday he had a better college debut than McCoy or even Tony Dorsett ever managed. He ran for 129 yards and two touchdowns and caught a pass for a touchdown as Pitt beat Youngstown State 38-3.

"Dion handled everything in a very mature way," coach Dave Wannstedt said. "He didn't give you the feeling it was a freshman out there."

Maybe that's because Lewis has been so focused on reaching this point. He was a star player in his hometown of Albany, N.Y., but felt he wasn't getting enough attention on the recruiting trail. That's why he transferred to Blair Academy, where he averaged 14.1 yards per carry his senior year.

He committed early to Pitt, in part because of Wannstedt's pro-style offense that relies heavily on the running game. Enrolling early allowed him to get adjusted to college life and hit the weight room, though he doesn't think that's the only reason he won the starting job.

"I think if I came in this summer, I would have been able to do the same things I'm doing now," he said.

Lewis is the latest in the line of diminutive Big East backs, standing a hair under 5-foot-8. But don't mistake short for small. He is sturdily constructed at 195 pounds and says he can bench-press 360 pounds.

Wannstedt compares Lewis to another short-but-strong Big East runner: former Rutgers star Ray Rice.

"He can run fast, we know that," Wannstedt said. "He's also a strong, powerful guy, probably a little bit more than he gets credit for

"Shady [McCoy] would bounce things outside and make you miss, do some things in space. Dion is more of a downhill runner, a Ray Rice-type of guy."

Lewis patterns himself after another similarly-sized tailback, Maurice Jones-Drew of the NFL's Jacksonville Jaguars.

"I think we're the same type of player," he said. "Just tough, playing fearless. People don't expect me to be that tough. But spending time in the weight room pays off on the field."

McCoy may have been a bit more explosive on the outside, and fellow Pitt freshman Ray Graham has some of those same skills. But Wannstedt said Lewis is better between the tackles. That's something Lewis takes pride in.

"You can't just run around people all the time and use your speed," he said. "This isn't high school where you can just sprint around the edge all the time. You have to run through tackles, be strong and be physical."

Posted 9/11/2009

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