SLU Adds Virgil, Lewis for 2018

HAMMOND, La. – A pair of Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) transfers are currently enrolled at Southeastern Louisiana University and will continue their academic and athletic endeavors as members of the Lion football program, SLU interim head coach Greg Stevens announced on Thursday.

The newest Lions are quarterback Chason Virgil (Mesquite, Texas / Fresno State / West Mesquite HS) and defensive back Xavier Lewis (LaPlace, Louisiana / LSU / East St. John HS). Both Virgil and Lewis will participate in spring practice and have two years of eligibility remaining.

“We’re excited about adding two student-athletes of Chason and Xavier’s caliber to our program,” Stevens commented. “We expect both of them to come in and make an immediate positive impact.”

Virgil comes to Hammond having spent the past three seasons on the Bulldogs’ roster. After receiving a medical redshirt in 2015, he started 14 games during his Fresno State tenure, passing for 2,843 yards and 19 touchdowns. In 2016, he became just the third freshman in program history to throw for more than 2,000 yards in a season and was seventh nationally in passing yards among FBS freshmen.

A four-year starter at West Mesquite High School, Virgil threw for over 6,800 yards to go with over 1,000 yards rushing during his career with the Wranglers. The 6-1, 192-pound Virgil was named the District 12-5A Co-MVP as a senior at WMHS.

Lewis played in 15 games during his LSU career in the secondary. The 6-0, 200-pound cornerback recorded 14 tackles for the Tigers.

Coming out of East St. John High School, Lewis was rated as a four-star prospect by Rivals, ESPN, Scout and 247Sports. ESPN ranked the versatile Lewis, who played quarterback, wide receiver, punter, kicker, punt returner and kickoff returner in addition to cornerback at ESJHS, as the No. 13 cornerback in the nation coming out of high school.

Lewis and Virgil run the total of 2018 additions to 11, as the Lions added nine during the inaugural December signing window. The traditional Signing Day is set for Feb. 7.

The Lions will open spring practice on March 13. Southeastern’s will officially open the 2018 campaign at ULM on Sept. 1.