PITTSBURGH STEELERS 2009 THIRD-ROUND DRAFT PICKKEENAN LEWISCORNERBACK96th OverallListen To Audio InterviewKeenan Lewis Conference CallSecondary Coach Ray Horton
KEENAN LEWIS
Cornerback
Oregon State University
6:00.0-208
New Orleans, Louisiana
O. Perry Walker High School
3rd Round – 96th Overall
OVERVIEW
High school teammate of Steelers' third-round pick, Mike Wallace…As a senior, Lewis established himself as one of the most physical corners in the west. His work ethic and team-first attitude saw him perform at a level that has scouts feeling that he will emerge as one of the NFL's elite pass defenders. Lewis not only excelled on the football field, but also received recognition for his success in the classroom, earning Academic All-Pac 10 honors as a senior. That undoubtedly pleased his mother Muriel, a teacher at Martin Behrman Elementary School. Lewis, along with teammate Dennis Christopher, was recruited to Oregon State by former Beavers assistant and New Orleans native Charlie Camp. His family was displaced to Natchitoches for six months because of Hurricane Katrina. Their home sustained significant wind damage but fortunately did not flood in the storm, he said. Still, Lewis said he'd like nothing more than to be in a position to support his family one day. "I definitely want to help my mom out," he said. "That would be a dream. But to have an opportunity to play for any team and just make it (in the NFL), that's what I'm trying to accomplish right now." At O. Perry Walker High School, Lewis was rated as one of the top 100 cornerback prospects in the country by Rivals.com. The first-team All-Metro and All-League choice as a senior, he made 75 tackles with four sacks and seven interceptions. He also returned five punts for 180 yards and five kickoffs for 150 yards in 2003. His best prep game was against L. B. Landry High, when he produced 12 tackles, intercepted a pass, forced two fumbles, recovered a fumble, and returned a punt 55 yards. The three-year starter registered 71 tackles with two interceptions as a junior and posted 54 tackles as a sophomore. He also graduated with academic honors, attaining a 3.27 grade point average. Lewis enrolled at Oregon State in 2004. He redshirted his first season with the Beavers, but was named Freshman AII-American and second-team All-Pac Ten Conference in 2005, starting all11 games at left cornerback. He added Academic All-Pac 10 honors and posted 45 tackles (25 solos) with two stops for loss and 11 pass deflections. The Exercise and Sport Science major was again named to the Academic All-Pac 10 squad as a sophomore. He started 13 of 14 games, manning the left cornerback position, as he broke up eight passes. He also collected 22 tackles (17 solos) with one sack and two stops behind the line of scrimmage. Lewis started 11 games in 2007. He intercepted three passes, leading the team in that category, and had two pass breakups and 15 tackles (12 solos). In 2008, he achieved Academic All-Pac 10 status for the fourth time in his career. Lewis is the team's active leader for starts with 48, delivering 35 tackles (27 solos) and a stop for a loss. He also batted down nine passes while picking off four others, including one that he returned for a touchdown.
CAREER NOTES
Lewis was the team's active leader for starts with 48, appearing in 50 games at Oregon State...Recorded 117 tackles (81 solos), a 3-yard sack and five stops for losses totaling 20 yards...Caused one fumble and deflected 30 passes...Gained 72 yards on seven interceptions (10.29 avg.) that included one touchdown.
2008 SEASON
Academic All-Pac 10 first-team choice...Added All-Pac 10 honorable mention...Started all 13 games at left cornerback, leading the team with four interceptions for 29 yards in returns, including a touchdown...Recorded 35 tackles (27 solos) with a stop for a 3-yard loss…Also deflected nine passes...Part of a unit that ranked second in the Pac 10 in total defense (312.15 ypg, 23rd nationally) and third in pass defense (180.92 ypg, 22nd in the country).
2007 SEASON
Academic All-Pac 10 selection for third consecutive year...Started 11 games at left cornerback...Led team with three interceptions for 43 yards in returns...Added 15 tackles (12 solos) and deflected two passes.
2006 SEASON
Earned first-team Academic All-Pac 10 Conference accolades...Started 13 games at left cornerback...Collected 22 tackles (17 solos) that included a 3-yard sack and two stops behind the line of scrimmage...Finished second on the team with eight pass deflections.
2005 SEASON
Freshman All-American third-team selection by College Football News, earning the first of four Academic AII-Pac 10 Conference honors...Took over left cornerback duties, as he started 11 games...Recorded 45 tackles (25 solos) with two stops for minus 13 yards and a forced fumble...Led the Beavers with a career-high 11 pass deflections.
2004 SEASON
Redshirted as a freshman...Named co-Defensive Scout Team MVP.
HIGH SCHOOL
Attended O. Perry Walker (New Orleans, La.) High School, playing football for head coach Terry Wilson...Rated as one of the top 100 cornerback prospects in the country by Rivals.com...First-team All-Metro and All-League choice as a senior...Made 75 tackles with four quarterback sacks and seven interceptions, as he also returned five punts for 180 yards and five kickoffs for 150 yards in 2003...His best prep game was against L. B. Landry High, when he produced 12 tackles, intercepted a pass, forced two fumbles, recovered a fumble, and returned a punt 55 yards...The three-year starter registered 71 tackles with two interceptions as a junior and posted 54 tackles as a sophomore...Graduated with academic honors, attaining a 3.27 grade point average...O. Perry Walker High teammates Mike Wallace and Dennis Christopher are teammates of his at Oregon State, and Craig Davis and Dominique Cooper were student-athletes at Louisiana State.
PERSONAL
Exercise and Sport Science major...Four-time Academic All-Pac 10 Conference choice...Son of Muriel Lewis...Born 5/17/86 in New Orleans, Louisiana.
