UA: R100 DB Lewis still open

Showcasing his talents on the biggest stage in high school football while competing with the best of the best in a real football environment are just some of the things that Rivals100 defensive back Marcus Lewis is looking forward to at the Under Armour All-America Game. The Washington (D.C.) Gonzaga standout was presented with his Under Armour All-America jersey Thursday along with teammate and Rivals100 offensive lineman Richie Petitbon.

"It's really humbling," said the 6-foot, 194-pound Lewis. "It feels good to be named to such an elite class. The Under Armour All-America Game has put a lot of guys into the pros and guys that are doing big things on the college level today so for my name to be recognized in that elite class means a lot."

Lewis is no stranger to the competition that he will be facing in Orlando thanks to elite camps like the Rivals100 Five-Star Challenge presented by Under Armour.

"It's going to be fun to see what guys can do in pads," he said. "Competing with those guys over the summer was fun and I kind of bonded with a few recruits from all of the country. I made some good friends and it will be good to see what some of them can do in pads. I look forward to competing in the game and having some fun.

"I would say the best wide receiver that I went against is Calvin Ridley," Lewis said. "I think he challenges me the most because he's quick and makes me work. I'd like to go against him in one-on-ones."

Lewis' recruitment has been full of twists and turns. Last weekend he took a surprise official visit, his first, to Washington state.

"I really believe in what Washington State is trying to do," he said. "If you really study them and watch their tape the only thing that's really stopping the is their secondary. I watched them against Oregon and their starting cornerback gave up three touchdowns but they sacked Mariota a lot. They should have won that game. They're only a couple players away. Why not be a part of something special and help turn it around? Their goal is to play in the Rose Bowl in three years.

"I really liked coach [Mike] Leach and so did my mom," said Lewis. "He's a pretty cool guy. I sat with him in his office and talked to him for about an hour about different things, not just football. Coach Leach told me I have a chance to come in as a true freshman and really make a name for myself. I like the whole coaching staff and I bonded with the players really well too. If I were to go there I would be the only guy from the east coast. Half that team is from California.

"I felt like it was a good visit and they have really nice facilities," he said. "I think they are some of the top ones that I've seen. They have top-notch facilities, a top-notch weight room and they just got a new stadium. It's a really nice campus. One of my old quarterbacks from Gonzaga is on the team there. He loves it up there.

"The thing that really stood out to me was the academic support," Lewis said. "If you need a tutor for every class, they can make it happen. For some schools it's more of a study hall with other athletes and there area lot of distractions so you don't really know if you are getting work done. With them it's one on one and if you need help they will help you get everything in place. I know coach Leach has a good track record of graduating players and take academics seriously."

Lewis had named Michigan his favorite a few weeks ago but with everything that's happening in Ann Arbor it doesn't look like that is the case anymore.

"Right now, it's rough at Michigan," he said. "They're not really having too good of a year but I still really like coach [Brady] Hoke, coach [Greg] Mattison and those guys. I just want to see where things go. I'm not sure about taking my visit to Michigan right now. I just want to see how things play out. I wouldn't say they are the favorite. I just want to see how these visits go."

There are still plenty of suitors for Lewis but he has yet to schedule any other official visits.

"Coaches have given me some dates for official visits but I haven't scheduled any yet. Oregon, Georgia, Miami and some other schools really want me to come out."

Lewis has previously been committed to Virginia Tech and Florida.

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