Jonathan Lewis DT 6'1 296 Virginia Tech
By: Robert Davis

Jonathan Lewis has been one of the more underrated defensive players in the country his entire career. He's started all four years in college, and has been a key contributor every season. As a freshman in 2002, Lewis had 56 tackles, seven for loss, and two sacks from his tackle spot. As a sophomore, he finished with a career high 69 tackles, with seven coming for loss, and four sacks. In 2004 he had a career highs in sacks with five and tackles for loss with 11, to go along with 40 total tackles. Lewis earned 2nd team All ACC this past season after finishing with just 38 tackles, 7.5 for loss, and 4.5 sacks.

Lewis is a very active presence on the interior defensive line. He shows a great burst off the snap, and the quickness to shoot the gap and get into the backfield to disrupt the action. Once he starts moving forward, he shows the ability to quickly diagnose the play, and adjust his path to the ball carrier. He is a consistent force as a penetrator as a defensive tackle in a 4-3 defense. He will also make plays with sheer hustle, and he does not give up until the whistle blows.

As with most penetrators, he lacks the pure size to hold up at the point of attack. He relies on that penetration, and if he does not get it, he can be neutralized. He is short, and will have to add some weight to be a full time starter at the next level. Lewis probably only fits in a 4-3 defense.

Lewis is one of the more consistent performers of this years defensive tackle class. He shows up every game ready to play, and draws a lot of attention on game day. There are some more physically talented tackles in this class, and they may draw more priority come draft day, but Jonathan Lewis is a player that will play on Sundays. He should hear his name called somewhere near the last half of Day One.