First team All PSAC East outside linebacker Jimmy Lewis is trading his purple and gold for a new blue and yellow uniform.Sources close to the situation have informed The Quad that Lewis has finalized his decision to transfer to West Virginia. Lewis will be forced to sit out next season due to NCAA eligibility rules regarding transfers.
Lewis joins a Mountaineer squad that ranked 62nd in team defense last season. For the Golden Rams a year ago Lewis notched 71 tackles and half a sack during WCU’s march into the second round of the NCAA Division II Playoffs.
West Virginia was one of several schools courting the outside linebacker out of high school, and Lewis’ family has maintained contacts with several Mountaineer coaches in recent years. Familiarity with the coaching staff combined with the allure of playing Division I college football played key roles in helping Lewis make his decision.
One player speaking on the condition of anonymity said “It’s a stupid decision on his part, he loses a year and playing one season of Division I football really won’t increase his draft stock [too much].”
Before the transfer not only was Lewis part of a duo of dominant linebackers (he and Lateef Ferguson each were named first team all PSAC East defenders), but also one of the most influential leaders in the locker room. Coach Bill Zwaan and company must now focus on filling these voids during spring practice which kicks off this week.