Eddie Lewis becoming a new go-to target for USC. Here’s what he brings to Georgia game
Wide receiver Eddie Lewis was the only transfer to join the South Carolina receiver room during the 2022-23 offseason. The Gamecocks added five freshmen, but Lewis, a graduate student, was the old, new guy in the room.
He said it at the beginning of the season — the receivers are “explosive.” Having only spent a few months in garnet and black, the 6-foot, 188-pound slot receiver found a way to make himself comfortable with his third receiver room. Both in the slot or perimeter if needed.
“He’s got a quickness and a burst and some of those other guys maybe don’t have as well,” head coach Shane Beamer said. “He plays in the slot for us, but then he also has the ability to play on the outside also.”
With Dakereon Joyner sliding into a new role as a running back, Lewis had a chance to be a depth player and add speed with Xavier Legette and Antwane “Juice” Wells Jr. as the No. 1 and No. 2 receivers.
That’s changed a bit heading into Week 3 of this season.
Lewis now has an opportunity to become a starting slot receiver, after sitting second in the depth chart the first two weeks of the season. He’s still listed second heading into this week’s matchup against No. 1 Georgia, behind Ahmarean Brown, but Brown is still questionable to play, Beamer said during his Tuesday availability.
Brown is expected to practice Wednesday but is dealing with a hamstring injury — which is tricky to heal.
Brown, Legette and Wells were seen as the top three receivers heading into the season, but Lewis’ position as a slot receiver could make him a lesser known threat against Georgia. He’ll still be on the Bulldogs radar, however. Lewis’ level of experience, coupled with the plans Beamer has for Wells and Brown, could make Lewis an appealing option in the game.
“He’s played a lot of football,” Beamer said. “You’ve got a lot of new faces in there, and he’s an older guy that has been in big environments.”
Lewis received the top rating of wide receivers nationally for Week 2 from Pro Football Focus’ rankings, and the third highestoverall rating for South Carolina — just behind LaNorris Sellers and Spencer Rattler.
Beamer said part of the reason Lewis has blended in so well with the other receivers and with Rattler is because of his maturity. This is Lewis’ sixth season of college football, spending two seasons at Rutgers, a season at Butler (Kan.) Community College for JUCO ball, then two seasons at Memphis before making a home in the Palmetto State.
Lewis said he wanted to be a consistent player, even if he’s not always scoring touchdowns. He’s gotten more confident with his speed and the routes he’s had to run, and that’s been a big part of adjusting to this offense so far.
“That’s what the main thing was, just being consistent with our speed, and showing our reach off the ball,” he said. “And I feel like I’ve showcased that and I’ll keep showcasing it.”
Lewis didn’t record any stats in the season-opener against then-No. 21 UNC. But he logged 89 yards off six receptions during the Gamecocks’ home opener against Furman last week. His highlight-level reception against the Paladins — a 49-yard pass from Rattler —came just five minutes into the second half.
Lewis said Tuesday he’s felt comfortable working with Rattler since joining the team in January this year. He called Rattler “different,” with no disrespect to other quarterbacks Lewis has played with, but Lewis said there’s a level of confidence Rattler has that separates him.
“It’s fun,” Lewis said. “Any time you get to do what you love it’s always a great time. So I had fun. It was great to be out there with Spence as well, and I got to showcase what I can do.”
With the Gamecocks traveling to Georgia, it will be the first time Lewis plays in Athens and the third time he’s played an SEC opponent in his career. He said he’s excited to play in the new environment, but knows it’ll be overwhelming. Lewis, however, said he feels confident in his ability to shut out the noise — figuratively and literally — to focus on his job.
“The noise will be there, no matter what game you’re playing,” Lewis said. “Playing in the SEC, the best conference in college football, it’s going to be so loud every time. So you’ve just got to be poised.”
This story was originally published September 13, 2023 at 6:30 AM.
