Major programs coming after 2019 4-star Lewis Cine
One of the rising stars in the 2019 class is four-star Lewis Cine. The Everett, Mass defensive back's offer sheet keeps getting longer and the offers are coming from some major programs. Cine gave his thoughts on these recent offers and talked about some of his recent visits.
IN HIS OWN WORDS…
"My Penn State visits was like two weeks ago," Cine said. "I found that experience to be great because I like competing and I got to go against some different competition there. I worked out at safety and cornerback. They told me they need to watch my film as a defensive staff before they offer. The coaches were very welcoming, told me where I would fit in with their defense, and showed me how I contribute and help out. It was a home run.
"I went to Florida State afterwards," he said. "It was very different there because other camps usually do their testing in the beginning but Florida State did their 40s after the camp when you're tired. I asked why and they said they wanted to do it that way to check your endurance. Coach Kelly checked my film and knows I can hit and I come up and cover. There isn't a ton of coverage on my film so he wanted to really see how I covered. He saw that I had range, I can cover, and I have length and height. It was a great camp. It's beautiful out there and there a lot of nice people all around. It made a big impression.
"I was at Ohio State next," Cine said. "It was a big deal there. It was like a big coliseum. There were players getting interviewed and it was a big time environment. I knew I could compete with those guys. The coaches put me in the elite group and it was great competition. I really liked it. I caught the defensive backs coach's and defensive coordinator's eyes. The coaches were going to meet afterwards but I'm not worried because I have high hopes that I'll get the offer. I spoke to the coach before I left the camp and he said I made a big impression on him.
"I went to Notre Dame on Friday and got the offer," he said. "I checked out what it was like in South Bend. They really wanted to see me face to face to make sure I'm tall enough and big enough. They thought I was a good fit. I got to check out the area too.
"Watching Oklahoma last season, I heard a lot about some of their players," said Cine. "I know they have some dogs over there. You have to fight for a position there. You're not promised anything there. It's college and you need to fight for it. I would have no problem fighting for my spot. I don't care how far it is from home. I have no problem going out of state. I've heard about their coach. I know he's young but he has a lot of weapons and has accomplished a lot. They know what they are doing. I'm building relationships there now but I've never been there before.
"I've never been to Tennessee before I have been talking to some of those coaches," he said. "I don't know much about the program except for what the coaches have told me. They've introduced me to what Tennessee football is all about. I really need to visit the school, see the area and how the people and environment are. I want to get around the coaching staff and the players too.
"I don't have a problem with the location of the school but I need to be close with the coaches," Cine said. "I don’t want to be starting a relationship with a coaching staff and then they leave out of nowhere. That'd wouldn't be good. The whole environment where I'm staying can't have a lot of negativity around. I'm also looking at who is being recruited at my position and what the depth chart looks like.
"I grew up in Fort Lauderdale but I wasn't a Canes fan when I was a kid," he said. "I was a Gators fan to start with and then, as I started watching football more I was intrigued by Florida State. It was a little different than what I had seen with the Gators."
RIVALS' REACTION
Cine's recruitment is just starting to pick up. Schools like Florida, Florida State, Penn State, Ohio State, and Notre Dame have made good impressions so far and Oklahoma and Tennessee are off to good starts. Cine will be taking plenty of visits but it remains to be seen which schools have real staying power in his recruitment. It would be a little surprising if Florida fell out of the race because they were an early offer and he has roots in the Sunshine State. If Penn State, Florida State, or Ohio State offer, which they will likely do, they will be major contenders as well.
