Wisconsin back Lewis favors Indiana

Brookfield (Wisc.) Central running back Jeff Lewis and his backfield running mate Xavier Whitaker combined for more than 1,500 yards last fall running the veer offense. Both prospects boast nearly the same number of offers heading into the summer and Lewis detailed his list earlier this week.

"I have five right now and they are from Indiana, Illinois State, Western Michigan, Southern Illinois and Northern Iowa," Lewis said. "Then, Northern Illinois said they will probably offer me this Sunday when I go to camp. They said they loved my highlight tape and my size and my speed. I'm also going to Cal and Stanford this summer.

"Iowa State said they love my tape, my size and my speed. I wasn't able to make their senior camp this Friday, but I will be going to a one-day there on July 24. Then, Wisconsin has their one-day camp coming up and they've been keeping in touch with me. Their recruiter said he would have already offered me, but he had to talk with (Bret) Bielema, so if I go there and do fine they should offer me."

With several offers on the table and several visits planned in the coming weeks, Lewis is just starting to get a feel for his recruitment and one school has made a strong, early impression.

"Last week I went and visited Indiana and I loved it," Lewis said. "Right now the highest interest would be in Indiana, but I'm just keeping my options open. I've got to take advantage of the recruiting process because it's just a blessing to be in this position right now."

Lewis helped lead Brookfield Central to a 9-2 record last fall by rushing for 590 yards and 11 touchdowns on 90 attempts while sharing carries with Whitaker. Despite seeing the ball a fewer number of times per game, Lewis said he loves having the 6-2, 198-pound Whitaker lined up next to him every play.

"It's really a blessing because he has been one of my closest friends since we started playing football," Lewis said. "When we got to high school we thought we were going to have to fight for the position, but luckily Coach put in the veer offense and teams cannot defend it no matter how hard they try.

Lewis went down to test his skills at the U.S. Army Combine this past January and put up a very strong 40-yard dash time of 4.63 on the slow, spongy turf of the Alamodome. His size and speed has generated comparisons to the running backs of the 70's and 80's.

"My uncle, who is the best trainer in the nation, said I run just like Eric Dickerson," Lewis said. "He said you can't find too many tall, fast running backs these days."