Ole Miss gets a team player

NEW ORLEANS - When New Orleans (La.) O. P. Walker wide receiver Kendrick Lewis got an early offer from Ole Miss and jumped on it, most people did not realize just how good he was. At camps this summer, including Ole Miss, NIKE and Auburn Lewis dominated, but he remains firm to the Rebels.

"Ole Miss was the first to offer and that meant a lot to me," Lewis said. "I went up there on an unofficial visit and they offered. Recruiting was already pretty stressful on me and I knew I wanted to go to Ole Miss so I went ahead and committed."

The 6-foot-0, 173-pound Lewis attended the NIKE camp in Oxford where he ran the 40-yard dash in 4.71 seconds, ran the shuttle in 4.47 seconds and posted a 28-inch vertical jump.

"Coach Frank Wilson recruited me for Ole Miss and I have a great relationship with him," Lewis said. "He used to be the head coach here and I always wanted to play for him, but then he took the job there and now I will get to play for him."

It's not just his relationship with Wilson that stands out to Lewis, head coach Ed Orgeron has made a strong impression on him as he has with many prospects.

"I think he is going to be a great coach, but he's also a real nice guy," Lewis said. "He's real intense and I like that about him. They told me that they were losing three wide receivers after this year and they think I can step in and play there if I work hard."

Lewis is ranked as the No. 12 player in Louisiana and the No. 38 wide receiver in the nation by Rivals.com.

"As a wide receiver I think I have the whole package," Lewis said. "When I am out there I don't believe that anyone can stop me. As a safety I try to be all over the field. I think Ole Miss wants me as a wide receiver, but I would definitely play safety. Wherever I can get on the field the fastest and help the team most."