Interview: Oklahoma 3-Star 2017 CB/WR Quindon Lewis Expanding Interest beyond Regional Boundaries

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @HogManInLA

When a high school team is lucky enough to have a versatile athlete on the roster, most head coaches find as many ways as possible to put that talent to use on the gridiron. All things were true for Southmoore High School head coach Jeremy Stark and his utilization of emerging star Quindon Lewis.

Lewis helped the Sabercats to a 9-2 record during the 2015 season lining up on offense as a wide receiver and on defense at cornerback. The 6’2”, 173 pound, speedster burned opposing Oklahoma defenses for 402 yards on 15 pass receptions. Falling into the territory of Hall of Fame wide receiver Cris Carter (Eagles, Vikings, and Dolphins), all Lewis did was catch touchdown passes. Of the 25 receptions, 11 ended up in the end zone.

On defense, Lewis tallied 31 total tackles, 26 solo, with two tackles for a loss. In passing situations Lewis shinned breaking up nine attempts while picking four off racking up 118 return yards with at least one pick-six.

College football recruiters have been calling with eight extending offers. The eight noticing the budding talents first includes Arkansas State, Miami (Ohio), Memphis, Idaho, Cincinnati, Wyoming, Ball State, and Toledo. The list is sure to expand, perhaps even double soon, with TCU, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Vanderbilt, Tulsa, Kansas, and Notre Dame all showing interest.

In a Recruiting News Guru exclusive interview, I sat down with Lewis to get his thoughts on his junior season, his offseason schedule, and find out more about the recruitment for this Class of 2017 3-star athlete.

Interview

Quindon, you excelled playing both corner and wide receiver last season. Which of the two positions is your best in your opinion?

“I don’t know. I like them both.”

Which position are colleges primarily recruiting you to play?

“A combination of safety and corner and some at wide receiver.”

What are your strengths on the field at corner?

“I have great length, great footwork, and I’m very physical. On pass defense, I’m good in man. I’m good on straight man, press technique, coming down hill, and I’m not afraid to tackle. We play more man than anyone I know. I’m good at reading the quarterback, reading his drops, and anticipating the route. I try to be physical at the line of scrimmage to throw their routes off.”

What are you working on in the offseason to prepare for your senior year?

“I’m working on a lot of technique, you can never be satisfied with your technique. I work on technique so I am second to no one. Every day I’m working on change of direction. In the weight room I do a lot of squats.”

What was the last 40-yard dash time you’ve posted?

“Two years ago I ran a 4.68. I have not ran a 40 in so long I have no idea what I would run now.”

All you know is it would be fast right?

(Laughs) “Yes.”

Will you play any other positions in 2016?

“I don’t think I’ll change positions but maybe play more at wide receiver. I won’t play running back or anything like that. I should do some punt returns this year, we had two last year, and maybe some kick returns.”

What are your thoughts on your individual performance in 2015?

“I think I played well off a solid sophomore season. I wanted to put up more stats. My sophomore year we were young. I was helping lead the team. My junior year I got more acclimated in the game and made more big time plays than my sophomore year.”

You have a lot of offers. Of the teams that have offered you, which ones are pushing the hardest for your commitment?

“Everyone. All eight of them. Memphis might be pushing a little bit harder than the rest but they are all pushing hard equally.”

Which schools are showing interest in you but have not offered yet?

“Notre Dame, OU (Oklahoma), OSU (Oklahoma State), Kansas, and Mississippi State.”

Are you going to any college camps this summer?

“Yeah, but I don’t know which ones yet.”

Are you going to any exposure camps?

“I’m going to the Rivals camp this weekend.”

What type of feedback have you received from the different colleges about your skill set?

“They like my length for a corner and how well I move with my height. They like how I break like a small corner, my physicality, and stuff like that.”

Have you taken any unofficial visits?

“I have been to TCU, OU, and OSU.”

How did your visit to Oklahoma go?

“I live 10 minutes away from OU. I’ve been there a lot. I live down the street. Going there is like going to get something to eat.”

Since you have been to Oklahoma so many times, have they told you where you are at on their board or what you may need to do to get an offer from them?

“They have not told me what they are looking for from me. They have told me to keep doing my thing. No specifics, nothing like that. They have not told me where I am at on their board.”

What are the main things you look at when breaking down a college?

“The staff mostly. How the coaches conduct themselves. I look at the facilities and the city too. I’ll be there for the next four years. Can I see myself there? Do I fit the scheme and how do they treat me? Mostly the area. Is it close to home or far away?”

Are there any college or NFL guys you enjoy watching play the game?

“I have a couple on both sides of the ball. On defense I like Patrick Peterson (Arizona Cardinals). I like how he plays corner. On offense I like Julio Jones (Atlanta Falcons) and Odell Beckham Jr. (New York Giants).”

Are you playing any spring sports?

“I played basketball.”

How did the season go?

“We made it one game from state.”

How did you play individually?

“I played pretty good actually. I started as a freshman.”

Do you remember your stat line from the season?

“No. I know my last five games I averaged 15 points a game.”

What is your favorite part of playing football?

“The contact. As a little kid, you’re taught to not to hurt one another. Then you start taking your anger out on the football field. Also, I grew up loving the game.”

Quindon, thanks for your time today and good luck with all of your upcoming camps.

“Thank you.”

Photo credit: normantranscript.com; No. 2 Quindon Lewis picks off a pass verses Bixby.

Photo credit: newsok.com; No. 2 Quindon Lewis pulls down a touchdown pass.