3/14/2017 football Edit

Kentucky and Mississippi State on top for TE Anthony Lewis, Jr.

Chad Simmons • Rivals.com

Recruiting Analyst

Chad Simmons is a Recruiting Analyst for Rivals.com. He was the expert on The Next Class on Fox Sports South from 2011-2015. He currently covers Alabama, Georgia and Mississippi.

HARVEY, La. — Anthony Lewis, Jr. left the Rivals 3-Stripe Camp New Orleans Sunday with some hardware. The 6-foot-3, 210 pound tight end out of Mobile (Ala.) Murphy caught ball after ball against top defensive backs and he was named MVP of the wide receiver/tight end group.

Over half a dozen schools have offered the No. 15-ranked prospect in Alabama and his recruitment is picking up. Tulane offered over the weekend, Appalachian State offered Monday and LSU called Monday to invite him to visit this weekend.

He plans to visit Baton Rouge (La.) Saturday to see one of the top programs in the SEC, but it is two others in that conference that lead for Lewis, Jr.. Kentucky and Mississippi State have each offered and all are chasing the Wildcats and Bulldogs early one.

IN HIS OWN WORDS: "Kentucky was the first school to offer and that meant a lot to me," said Lewis, Jr. "Them showing me they believe in me early really stands out to me, but I have also been up there for a camp and I liked that a lot too. They have great facilities, the coaches showed me a lot of love and I like the Big Blue.

"Mississippi is the other school I am real high on right now and I visited there for Junior Day this year. I love the new tight ends coach (D.J. Looney) and we watched some film, he showed me how they will use the tight end and how I can be used there.

"I am not real sure when I will make my decision. I could commit before my senior season, that is probably what I am thinking right now, but I really do not know for sure. I am going to be looking to see who I have the best relationship with and what schools I can play early at when I choose the school."

RIVALS REACTION: Lewis, Jr. will continue to add offers this spring as more schools hear about him and see him. He moves well for his size and he has very strong, reliable hands. Kentucky offering first has put the Wildcats in a very good spot. He is from the south, so the SEC schools have his attention. Keep an eye on who offers next. LSU will host him this weekend, he has started to hear from Georgia and more offers will come his way. He wants to go where he can make a difference, so an offense that features the tight end as a receiver will appeal to him.