UCLA close on La. sleeper

UCLA tripped in New Orleans (La.) Redeemer-Seton sleeper athlete George Lewis this past weekend and from the sounds of it, the Bruins will likely be getting a commitment in about a week or so.

Lewis, 6-3, 190 pounds, played quarterback as a junior throwing for 1,300 yards and 12 touchdowns this past season. As a senior, he started off at quarterback, moved to receiver in week three but then moved back to quarterback when the team's starter went down with an injury.

"I definitely like receiver better and that's the position everyone is recruiting me at," Lewis said. "Louisiana Monroe is the only school recruiting me as a quarterback but I definitely see myself as a receiver in college."

Lewis actually committed to La. Monroe back in November but said once UCLA started to show interest, he began to back off his decision.

"UCLA has been recruiting me for the last couple of months and I really like them a lot," Lewis said. "Coach Bieniemy has been the one recruiting me and he showed me all around on my trip this past weekend. The trip was great and I got along well with everyone. I got a tour of the campus, saw the town a little and watched a pretty good basketball game.

"Chris Markey, who is from Louisiana, was my host and he really likes it at UCLA too. I have three other trips set up but I'm only going to take one of them. I have La. Monroe next weekend, Arkansas State (Jan. 21) and Bowling Green (Jan. 28). I'm going to take the visit to La. Monroe but I already told Coach Dorrell that I'm coming. I know I'm going to UCLA but he told me to take this last visit and then call him after it's over. I think I owe it to La. Monroe to take the visit but I know I'm going to UCLA and Coach Dorrell knows it too. I'll probably make it official after my visit next week."

Lewis said he also runs track and with his long strides, has always run the 400m and the 4X100 and 4X200 relays.

"They want me to run the 100 and 200 this year so I'll give that a shot. I've never run that before but it should help my speed for college. My fastest 40 time is a 4.6. I ran that at team camps at Tulane, Arkansas State and La Monroe so running the shorter distances in track this year should help my 40 speed as well."