Josh Heupel: Peyton Lewis gives Tennessee an 'electric' running back in 2024 class

There’s no question what four-star running back Peyton Lewis can do with the ball in his hands in space. His combination of size, at 6-foot-1, 197 pounds, and speed made him a dual-sport star in high school, playing football and running track. 

“(A) kid that’s electric with the ball in his hands,” Tennessee coach Josh Heupel said during his National Signing Day press conference last week, after Lewis and the rest of the Vols’ 2024 class signed their National Letters of Intent.

But Lewis spent his senior season at Salem High School in Salem, Va., developing a different part of his game. That’s the area Heupel highlighted when the topic turned to the lead running back in his 2024 recruiting class.

Peyton Lewis in 2024 rankings: No. 131 overall, No. 9 RB, No. 2 VA

“This year, you look at his development between the tackles,” Heupel said. “(He has) great vision, great ability, short-area quickness, constantly chewing up ground as he’s working through the line of scrimmage. 

“(He’s) developing the ability to play with great pad level. (He’s) smart, tough, competitive really excited about him.”

Lewis finished his prep career ranked No. 131 overall in the On3 ratings. He was the No. 9 running back in the class and the No. 2 overall player out of the state of Virginia.

He was ranked higher by On3 than any other recruiting service, coming in at No. 170 overall in the On3 Industry Ranking, ranked No. 13 at his position and No. 3 in Virginia.

‘I would not be shocked if we look back and he is one of the better running backs in this cycle’

Charles Power, On3’s director of scouting and ranking, explained in an interview with On3’s Matt Ray why Lewis was higher in his rankings than others in the industry.

“He is a guy that I am just significantly higher on than everybody else,” Power said. “I think with his burst and production and when you look at the running back group nationally, he is one that has the profile from a speed perspective, a production perspective.

“I think there is a lot of positive indicators for him. He moved up for us in the last rankings, and I would not be shocked if we look back and he is one of the better running backs in this cycle.”

Peyton Lewis — On3 Scouting Report

Big-play running back with one of the best combinations of size and speed at the position in the 2024 cycle. Measured at over 6-feet and around 190 pounds prior to his senior season. Has a low cut build with a longer torso and compact lower body. A top athlete who puts down impressive times on the track. A state champion in the 100 and 200 meters as a junior. Consistently runs sub-11.0 second 100 meter times with a personal best of 10.50 seconds, an elite mark. A productive and efficient runner on Friday nights. Plays in a downhill run scheme, regularly lining up in the I formation, but also takes direct snaps out of the backfield. A functional mover who can toggle gears and change speeds. Uses his speed to get to the edge before out-running defenders. Is not losing a footrace at the high school level. Displays solid vision and feet in working between the tackles. Can dip and dart to make defenders miss in confined spaces. Shows leg drive to run through contact at the second level. Uses contact balance to bounce off of defenders. Also makes an impact as a kick and punt returner. Rushed for 1,600 yards and 19 touchdowns at around 10 yards per carry late into his senior year. Also seeing time on defense, showing effort and conditioning. Does not play top competition for much of the year in western Virginia. A solid pass catcher, but can continue improving in the pass game. Has the high-end tools to be one of the top backs in the 2024 cycle given his every down ability and home run speed.