Photo by: Austin Perryman/MSU Athletics
Worth The Wait For Lewis
September 14, 2021 | Football
STARKVILLE – Linebacker John Lewis was lauded as a four-star prospect and the No. 2 rated recruit in Mississippi.
However, the Germantown High School standout entered his senior year without a single scholarship offer from a four-year college.
Several junior colleges offered Lewis after his junior campaign, which consisted of 53 tackles, five sacks, two forced fumbles and one fumble returned for a touchdown. But the schools he really wanted scholarships from simply weren't showing that much interest at that time.
Instead of worrying or starting to panic, Lewis kept reminding himself of the advice his grandmother, Nellie, had given him.
"My grandma always told me that everything happens for a reason and that something good was going to happen," Lewis said.
In order for the good to happen, Lewis knew he would have to earn it. He worked tirelessly during the offseason between his junior and senior years, going from 200 to 225 pounds while also improving his speed as well.
His efforts paid off and his senior statistics reflected it. Lewis recorded 84 tackles in 2020 to go along with 13 sacks, four forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries.
Power 5 programs took notice too. Mississippi State, Florida State and Ole Miss all offered during his stellar senior season.
"I really don't know what took so long," Lewis said. "I guess they thought I wasn't that good when I was younger. But I just kept working and got here."
Lewis made his commitment to MSU eight days before national signing day last December. He stated that he chose mainly because of their proximity to his home in Canton and also because of Zach Arnett's defense.
"I'm real happy," Lewis said. "I'm glad I made this decision."
The now 6-foot-3, 230-pounder enrolled for the first summer term and has been working at Sam linebacker under the tutelage of Matt Brock in Arnett's 3-3-5 scheme.
 "It's fun," Lewis said. "They're great coaches and I'm getting better because of them. They're hard on me but that's the only way I can get better."
Lewis and fellow true freshman Ty Cooper are the future at Sam linebacker and have both impressed the coaching staff with their toughness, physicality and work ethic early on.
"They're the type of guys that you want to be the first guys walking off the bus because they look so good in their uniform," Arnett said. "They've done a really nice job. They show up to work every day like tough guys. At the position we're playing them at right now, you've got to be willing to be thrown around and do about 15 different jobs. You've got to be tough and athletic, and those guys can do it."
Â
However, the Germantown High School standout entered his senior year without a single scholarship offer from a four-year college.
Several junior colleges offered Lewis after his junior campaign, which consisted of 53 tackles, five sacks, two forced fumbles and one fumble returned for a touchdown. But the schools he really wanted scholarships from simply weren't showing that much interest at that time.
Instead of worrying or starting to panic, Lewis kept reminding himself of the advice his grandmother, Nellie, had given him.
"My grandma always told me that everything happens for a reason and that something good was going to happen," Lewis said.
In order for the good to happen, Lewis knew he would have to earn it. He worked tirelessly during the offseason between his junior and senior years, going from 200 to 225 pounds while also improving his speed as well.
His efforts paid off and his senior statistics reflected it. Lewis recorded 84 tackles in 2020 to go along with 13 sacks, four forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries.
Power 5 programs took notice too. Mississippi State, Florida State and Ole Miss all offered during his stellar senior season.
"I really don't know what took so long," Lewis said. "I guess they thought I wasn't that good when I was younger. But I just kept working and got here."
Lewis made his commitment to MSU eight days before national signing day last December. He stated that he chose mainly because of their proximity to his home in Canton and also because of Zach Arnett's defense.
"I'm real happy," Lewis said. "I'm glad I made this decision."
The now 6-foot-3, 230-pounder enrolled for the first summer term and has been working at Sam linebacker under the tutelage of Matt Brock in Arnett's 3-3-5 scheme.
 "It's fun," Lewis said. "They're great coaches and I'm getting better because of them. They're hard on me but that's the only way I can get better."
Lewis and fellow true freshman Ty Cooper are the future at Sam linebacker and have both impressed the coaching staff with their toughness, physicality and work ethic early on.
"They're the type of guys that you want to be the first guys walking off the bus because they look so good in their uniform," Arnett said. "They've done a really nice job. They show up to work every day like tough guys. At the position we're playing them at right now, you've got to be willing to be thrown around and do about 15 different jobs. You've got to be tough and athletic, and those guys can do it."
Â
Players Mentioned
LB
/ FootballFOOTBALL | 2026 Spring Practice Media Session - Fatt Forrest
Tuesday, April 07
FOOTBALL | 2026 Spring Practice Media Session - Jayson Jenkins
Tuesday, April 07
FOOTBALL | 2026 Spring Practice Media Session - Sanfrisco MaGee
Tuesday, April 07
FOOTBALL | 2026 Spring Practice Media Session - Jeff Lebby
Friday, April 03