Michigan LB picture perfect

Detroit Crockett has developed a program that has produced some high quality recruits over the past five years, and one of its best offerings for the class of 2009 is linebacker/defensive lineman Randall Lewis.

The 6-foot, 220-pounder played defensive end last season, but projects as a linebacker on the next level. He said playing out of position at defensive line limited his tackle stats last season a little bit, but he'll do anything that it takes to help the team win ball games.

"I've been paying linebacker my entire life," Lewis said. "But with our school history, we don't product the biggest guys, so they put me on the d-line. I get blocked a lot, but I still find a way to get to the football. I adjusted. I think my awareness allows me to predict the plays and know what's coming."

Maybe it's because he eats, breaths and sleeps football.

"Football is my passion," said Lewis, who impressed in January at the U.S. Army All-America Combine in San Antonio.

"It's my passion, and I think a lot of that comes because I have vivid dreams about football. Sometimes in the morning, I wake up, and I feel like I was playing a game. I can remember calling the audibles in my sleep."

Lewis said at this point he doesn't have any scholarship offers, but he believes some of that is because he's just now getting back on track academically.

"Between ninth and 10th grade, I lost my grandfather, and I was messing up in the classroom," Lewis said. "But now I'm back on the right track. My grades have gotten a lot better, and that's something I'm really working on. I think that might be the only reason a few schools haven't offered me. I'm back up to a 2.6 or 2.7 grade-point average, and I've taken the practice ACT. I got a 19 on it, so I think I'm going to have no worries on that when I take it."

When it comes to mail, Lewis said Virginia and Purdue send him mail every day. He's also gotten stuff from Pittsburgh, Miami, Stanford, Louisville and Akron. Lewis said he's keeping his options open, but would love to eventually become a Louisville Cardinal.

"The reason why I like Louisville is that my other passion is photography," he said. "They have some of the best photographers in the world from that school. I'm going to be looking for something that benefits me as far as photography along with football."

Lewis will be at Sunday's Rivals.com Five-Star Academy in East Lansing, Mich.