Diamond In The Rough: Darius Lewis

Fast, leaping ability, footwork, catching. These are the necessary tools receivers need to succeed, Darius Lewis excels in every one of them. The senior out of Del Valle has had to switch schools several times in his high school career and has been successful at every stop. Darius has 4.5 40 speed and gets off the ball quickly, and he seems faster in games. Darius complements his speed with shiftiness and precise route-running ability. Standing at 5’9”, Darius uses his height and low center of gravity to break in and out of routes, as well making him hard to tackle with the ball in his hands. When the ball is lobbed up into the air, Darius is an explosive athlete and has an impressive 37-inch vertical leap to get over defenders, highpoint the ball and bring it in.  Darius excels in school and has a 3.2 GPA, to compliment his athletic ability.

When did you start playing football?

I started playing when I was 6, my dad played in the NFL and it has been around me my whole life, it seemed like I had to play. I played running back and corner mostly, my freshman year, I played quarterback. I did not play wide receiver until my sophomore year.

What was the moment that you fell in love with football?

There was not a specific moment, the competition aspect of the game is something I fell in love with. I love competing and working to be better than my opponent.

Did you play any other sports growing up?

I played pretty much everything, soccer, baseball, basketball, track. I loved basketball, it was hard choosing football over basketball, but I know I made the right choice.

What is your favorite thing about football?

The walk from the locker room to the field, where I am just focusing on the game, getting ready to compete, and taking in the atmosphere of the stadium, fans, the music. It is the best feeling in the world.

What are your hobbies outside of football?

I like to hang out with my friends. I got into graphic design earlier this year, and I am enjoying it, so when I have some free time, I do that a lot. I am still new to it and seeing myself improve throughout these months has been cool.

What has football taught you off the field?

Sports and football specifically, had taught me how to lead, passion and trying to find things that I enjoy. Football, of course, taught me discipline and toughness. I started at Del Valle in August, and I already feel like one of the leaders of this team, I was accepted into this team immediately.

Has football helped you overcome anything in your personal life?

Football takes my mind off all the stresses of life and just have fun for a few hours, whatever happens during a day, I have three hours of football to look forward to. When my grandfather got sick and we moved to Texas, everything about that time was hard, but the team helped me out and was always there for me.

Who is your biggest role model?

My Dad, he played football in college and the NFL and knows what kind of things I am going through, and he is always helping me out and helping me succeed. Another role model is coach CJ Maiden, he was my receivers coach my sophomore year. We had an immediate connection and he is a big reason I am the player I am now. He is still involved in my life, and we talk often. I just talked to him the other day.

What is your intended major in college?

Business management, business is something I have always liked, a company is kind of like a team, everybody has a different job and role, and they all need to do their job in order to be successful. Business also has so many different aspects that I could go into many different professions.

Do you model your game after anyone?

I try to be myself, make my own name. I play the way I am, trying to model my game after someone else takes away from what I can do and what my skill set is.

What is the hardest and easiest part of playing wide receiver?

The hardest part is knowing where everyone is on the field, if you run a crossing route and you lose track of the safety it is easy to get your head taken off. The easiest part for me is catching, it is natural for me, I do not panic, and I am calm and confident when the ball is coming towards me.

What is your favorite route to run, why?

I like to run post corners and any route with double moves in general. I like shaking corners and beating them over the top, catching the ball with no one around me because I ran a great route is awesome.