ASU redshirt sophomore running back Deantre Lewis’ collegiate career took another turn on Tuesday.
He’s now a defensive back.
Lewis took reps with the first team as the nickel corner at practice. Coach Todd Graham hinted the change during his weekly press conference Monday. He approached Lewis and asked if he could make the change to cornerback due to the lack of depth at the position.
“He’ll be able to help us, and I’m hoping he’ll be able to do it by this weekend,” Graham said.
Lewis said he wanted to play defense when he committed to ASU. He spent the weekend watching film of Missouri junior quarterback James Franklin to understand his tendencies.
“I can’t quantify it in hours,” Lewis said about how much film he watched. “I know I just got a headache after watching so long.”
His preparation paid off Tuesday as Graham, redshirt junior cornerback Osahon Irabor and senior cornerback Deveron Carr were impressed during practice.
Irabor said he didn’t make a lot of errors, which surprised him. Irabor and junior safety Alden Darby helped Lewis with the coverage on every play as they tried to get him acclimated on defense.
“I think he picked up the scheme pretty well,” Irabor said. “You could tell he did his film work, so he had a pretty good day.”
The position switch is miniscule compared to the offseason Lewis had after his freshman season. Lewis sat out last year due to a gunshot wound in his upper leg and used his redshirt last year.
Lewis returned to the field during the season opener against NAU.
“Sometimes life comes with changes and switches all the time,” Carr said. “What makes a man out of you or what makes you great or a champion is how you embrace it. There’s no time to sit and pout about the change. Learn the change, stick with and become great. And I feel like that’s exactly how he’s embracing it. He never complains.”
Carr said he thinks Lewis can play a big part in the secondary with his athletic ability. Lewis is just learning the game plan this week against Missouri, which is why Carr feels Lewis is “kind of like us.”
Lewis is confident it’ll be a smooth transition to defense. Graham hinted he could be ideal at the bandit safety position over time.
“It’s just something you just feel like you can go wild,” Lewis said about playing defense. “Especially after my shooting, I have a lot of anger built in me. I feel like I can use that on opponents and hit them.”
Mendoza done for season
Graham said freshman linebacker Carlos Mendoza will be out for the season with an injured shoulder. Graham thought he’d be fine and his shoulder would strengthen over time, but an MRI revealed a bone chip.
Mendoza will have surgery to remove the bone chip and he’ll apply for a medical redshirt.
“He was really down about it, and we were too,” Graham said. “But I told him he’ll be real happy in five years from now.”
He had two interceptions in Saturday’s win over Illinois before he injured his shoulder. Mendoza also had surgery on his shoulder after his senior season, which limited him during fall camp.
Without Mendoza, redshirt junior linebacker Grandville Taylor received second team reps at the “Will” spot. The former walk-on received a football scholarship from Graham prior to the start of this season.
Reach the reporter at mtesfats@asu.edu
