An under-the-radar candidate who could very well impact Georgia Tech in 2012 designs robots and has spent the fall anonymously pushing Tech's offensive linemen to the brink.
He is Xavier Lewis, a walk-on defensive lineman who has been a non-stop motor on the defensive scout team this season. In interviews with Tech players as they prepare for the Sun Bowl, Lewis was one of a few players who was named more than once for standing out on the scout team.
"He's really good, really developed," offensive tackle Phil Smith said. "He's definitely a Division I athlete, for sure."
The daily task of Lewis and others on Tech's scout team, comprised mostly of walk-ons and redshirt freshmen, does not invite glory. They run the offensive and defensive plays of Tech's upcoming opponents, preparing the first and second teamers for what they'll face on Saturday. The scout team defense, in particular, which goes full speed against the cut-blocking of the Yellow Jackets' option-based spread offense, has it rough.
While practicing daily with requisite intensity is not easy, Lewis has shined in the grind.
"He's going full-go every time, whether it's trying to give us a look or to improve himself," guard Will Jackson said. "But he definitely makes an impression."
To Lewis, a Stephenson High grad who transferred over the summer from Savannah State, motivation isn't an issue.
"Basically, this is the only time I get to actually play football," he said. "I like football, so it's just, I guess, the competitive nature to try to do well."
Other scout teamers who turned the heads of starters – figuratively, if not literally – include running back Broderick Snoddy, defensive linemen Ben Keith and Anthony Williams, linebacker Jabari Hunt-Days, offensive linemen Trey Braun, Bryan Chamberlain and Errin Joe and defensive back Domonique Noble. Snoddy and Keith, a walk-on, were named the scout team players of the year.
"Because of the defense we run, I get a lot of one-on-one hits with him because he's a guard," inside linebacker Julian Burnett said of Braun. "I just know how physical he is and how much he likes to play."
At Stephenson, where he competed on both the football and robotics teams, Lewis was lightly recruited and chose Savannah State. His plan was to get introductory classes out of the way at Savannah State to save on tuition costs and then transfer to Tech to complete a mechanical engineering degree.
Football was secondary; he contacted Tech player personnel director Liam Klein only after the transfer process had begun.
"I just want to be a part of the team, help out as much as I can," he said. "Hopefully, maybe play."
Lewis redshirted his first season at Savannah State, didn't play the second year because he didn't have the requisite number of credits and played his third season. He has one remaining season of eligibility. At 6-foot-2 and 280 pounds, Lewis likely will compete for playing time as an undersized defensive end in Tech's 3-4 defense.
"I could definitely see him working into a role where he's contributing," Jackson said.
From the bottom of the pile, Lewis sees it likewise.
"I think with a little more work, I can somehow do it," he said.
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