Transfer WR Eddie Lewis ready to make impact for Gamecocks
Eddie Lewis took an interesting path to arrive in Columbia for his final collegiate season as a Gamecocks wide receiver.
The Harlem, New York native did a year of prep school at Milford Academy prior to signing with Rutgers. He spent two seasons there, then moved on to Butler Community College in Kansas. He then transferred to Memphis, where he had an impact as a receiver and a return man in his two seasons.
Lewis then graduated from Memphis and decided to bet on himself by entering the transfer portal. Along the way, he considered South Carolina and Colorado, ultimately choosing Shane Beamer’s Gamecocks program.
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One connection proved to be helpful for both sides along the way: Lewis and Gamecocks Associate Head Coach Pete Lembo both spent two seasons each at Memphis, but at different points.
They did, however, have some mutual acquaintances that helped during the process of each side researching the other. One was current NFL player Calvin Austin.
“He called me, and Coach Lembo called him, just to ask about me,” Lewis said during an exclusive interview presented by Garnet Trust. “When I first got a call from Coach Lembo, that was the first thing he told me. ‘I just got off the phone with Calvin, he had nothing but good things to say.’ We’re both from New York, we had that connection. It was just a vibe, everything happens for a reason.”
From there, Lewis took an official visit to Columbia, one that helped seal the decision to go play for Lembo, wide receivers coach Justin Stepp, and Beamer.
USC loses last season’s punt returner as well as starting wideout Josh Vann, a role that Lewis could fill nicely. Lewis caught 42 balls – with 7 touchdowns – last season at Memphis and was also valuable in the return game. He had a 60-yard punt return for touchdown.
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Said Lewis: “I’m a playmaker at the end of the day. I consider myself a spark. I can play inside, I can play outside, you’re going to see me in the return game. I’m ready to put the ball in the air, make some plays.
Since his arrival in Columbia, Lewis has felt welcomed by his teammates.
“I’m having a great time overall,” said Lewis. “My roommate, Juice Wells, good guy, funny guy. We’ve had a bunch of laughs in here talking. Xavier Legette, I was with him this past weekend. I could go down the list. Spencer (Rattler) was one of the first people to come up to me and talk to me during workouts.”
As the Gamecocks get ready to open spring practice next month, hard work is at the top of the list for Lewis.
“Just establishing myself in all facets while I’m on the field,” Lewis said. “Proving that I am that playmaker, proving that I am a guy that can be great in the return game. That’s why I came here, to fight for that starting spot. Coach Beamer preaches competing, and that’s something I’ve always been good at. Being consistent. I know that’s cliche, but just trying to empty the tank every day and progress, trying to be better than I was last week.”
