Eddie Lewis growing in confidence as spring practices progress
Growing pains are inevitable for players facing higher-level competition in a new setting at South Carolina and a new offensive system.
For Eddie Lewis, that adjustment period has been much shorter as his confidence has grown through multiple weeks of practices.
“He’s continuing to gain confidence in what we’re doing as an offense, and his abilities as a player as well,” Shane Beamer said. “He was a confident guy coming in here, but that’s a jump going from Memphis to the SEC and South Carolina and playing with Spencer Rattler and this established wide receiver group.
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South Carolina’s offense may be unfamiliar to Lewis but some elements are similar to the last system he played in.
“I think he was in a little bit of a tempo offense and all that stuff when he was at Memphis,” receivers coach Justin Stepps said. “But he’s done a really good job.”
At Memphis, he caught 62 passes for 945 yards and 10 touchdowns over a two-year career. This past season, he earned career highs in all four metrics, totaling 596 yards and six scores on 40 catches.
Lewis also showcased his versatility on special teams in 2022, returning 27 points for 255 yards and one touchdown. His efforts as a returner earned him spots on Phil Steele and Pro Football Focus’ All-AAC second teams.
Lewis is impressing Beamer with his positional flexibility, as well as many other traits.
“I just like his twitch, his quickness, his athleticism, speed,” Beamer said. “He’s got a lot of things that are attractive to us as he continues to get better and better.”
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In early practices, Stepp also said that Lewis has started to emerge as a quiet leader in the wide receivers group.
“You’re never going to know what he’s thinking. He doesn’t really say much, doesn’t really talk much,” Stepp said. “He’s an older guy that leads by example.”
Stepp added Lewis makes an effort to build chemistry while forming close relationships with his teammates.
“The thing I’m proud of with him. And I’m proud of our guys. He’s done a good job of getting in and meshing with the guys and really being part of the group,” Stepp said. “It feels like he’s been here for two years already.”
Lewis also said his outlook on spring practices boils down to accomplishing a few simple goals.
“(I’m) just trying to learn an offense as long as a special teams unit. (I’m) just trying to be great at the end of the day, that’s it,” Lewis said. “I just want to come in and compete, try to find my way on the field in the best way.”
