JUCO defensive end drawn to SEC

Marquavius Lewis hasn't played a down of his sophomore season at Hutchinson (Kan.) Community College and, already, he's become a bit of a recruiting commodity. Lewis currently lists 14 scholarship offers, including nine from SEC schools.

Originally from South Carolina, Lewis admits the Southeastern Conference a spot in his heart. In an ideal world, he'd play in the league next season. But Lewis is also chasing playing time. He's interested in depth charts and the opportunity to get on the field immediately.

Still, the rough draft of his travel itinerary - a draft that is not even close to being set in stone - reads like a tour of the South.

I wants to visit Auburn, Alabama, Tennessee, Florida and some others, but those seem like the ones right now," Lewis said. "I'm not saying for sure right now, though. I'm not sure yet, but if I had to say right now. I'd say those. That will probably change.

Lewis' most recent unofficial visit was also to an SEC school. The 6-foot-4 defensive end toured the campus of Arkansas a few weeks back and says things went well in Little Rock. And while he's not making wild proclamations or naming the Razorbacks as a frontrunner, the trip served its purpose as an exploratory visit.

"I didn't know much going in," Lewis said. "I watched a practice and saw the facilities. I talked to the coaches. That was the most important part. Those guys seem pretty straightforward. So that was good."

Lewis, who is in no hurry to make a verbal commit, says he doesn't expect to make a decision until toward late in his sophomore season at Hutchinson. And while he points to the potential for early playing time as a driving force in his recruitment, it's not the only factor in play.

"I'm gonna have to work wherever I go, so I'm not looking to go to a place just for playing time, but I want to actually play," Lewis said. "It's more about being comfortable in the city and being comfortable around the coaches."