Marcus Lewis is coming home: FSU DB transferring to Maryland football
Maryland Football gained a veteran leader in Florida State Cornerback Marcus Lewis. He announced news of the transfer to Maryland Saturday July 29 via Twitter.
So who is Marcus Lewis? He was a four star athlete in the 2015 recruiting class, he was the No.140 best player nationally, the No. 8 best athlete and No. 2 best player in Washington D.C. according to the 247Sports Composite. He received a total of 33 offers including Maryland and chose the Florida State Seminoles over Michigan, Kentucky, Miami, Florida and many others.
Marcus Lewis played his high school football at Gonzaga College High School in Washington, D.C. and in his senior season with the Gonzaga Eagles, he led them to their first Washington Catholic Athletic Conference (WCAC) championship game which they won against the H.D. Woodson Warriors (DC), 29-6. The Eagles went 10-3 (3-2 WCAC) and Lewis finished the 2014 regular season with 18 total tackles, two pass break-ups, one interception, one receiving touchdown and a team leading 116 kick return yards. He also received an invite to Nike’s “The Opening,” and played safety for Team Highlight in the Under Armour All-America Game.
In his freshman season (2015) at Florida State, Marcus Lewis appeared in four games on special teams and defensive back. He was a good player for the Seminoles scout team defense. His sophomore year (2016), he finished the season with 21 tackles, two pass breakups, including one tackle for loss, an interception and a fumble recovery. A highlight for him that season was an interception he made against former Ole Miss Rebels Quarterback Chad Kelly in third quarter of the season opener. That play helped the Seminoles comeback from 22 points down to win 45-34.
That season he also started five of eight games he played in total and unfortunately ended the season with an injury.
According to Inside Maryland Sports Writer Ahmed Ghafir, Lewis was humbled and appreciative to receive the opportunity to play for Maryland football. He also believes the secondary can do great things.
"“I’m just humbled for the opportunity. Humbled that coach Durkin and coach Rahim just gave me the opportunity to come in and do big things for this program and it just helps a lot that I’m from this area. It’s kind of a big decision, but it was a no-brainer,” he said.“With Rahim and the players we have, we have the opportunity to have the best secondary in the Big Ten and one of the best in the country,” he said. “Knowing him, knowing how technical he is and wants everyone to be fundamentally sound, I think it’s going to really help us as a group.”"
Marcus Lewis also has a prior relationship with Maryland Football Cornerbacks Coach Aazar Abdul-Rahim as he worked out with him in high school. That helps in terms of how he can integrate himself into Maryland’s defense because he already knows what Abdul-Rahim expects.
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He won’t be able to contribute on the field this season due to NCAA transfer rules so fans will be able to see him on the field in 2018 with Maryland football and their stacked 2018 class. I look for him to bring a veteran presence that fills the void left by William Likely.