The thought of seeing him healthy for one season as a starter has fans of Alabama football salivating with anticipation. No one doubts the athletic abilities of Terrell Lewis.
In fact, from the moment he played as a freshman; NFL scouts got ideas of him becoming a potential first-round pick. The former five-star from Washington, D.C., has strength, edge-bending capabilities and is a great leader.
Listed at 6-foot-5 and 252 pounds, Lewis raised eyebrows at the 2017 A-Day game – intercepting a pass off Tua Tagovailoa and running 60 yards for a touchdown. People were caught off guard in seeing someone that big and strong display big-play speed at his position. The talented outside linebacker was seen on video lifting his leg in the air a couple of days after surgery, and he even made a push to play last season.
Lewis has missed 25 games in the last two years –elbow, knee injuries – but he’s finally able to practice in this edition of fall camp. He was spotted as the first player in drills at jack/rush linebacker and Nick Saban mentioned on Saturday that he’s “made some plays” thus far.
“We’ll probably try to manage his reps to some degree, but he practiced all day yesterday,” Saban said of Lewis. “He’s worked hard all summer. He is back to a level higher than he was before he got hurt two years ago.”
When teammates discuss Lewis, the phrase “cut from a different cloth” is said.
With him back, the Crimson Tide can potentially have its best year in sacks under Saban since 2015 and 2016 – where it totaled 52 and 54 sacks. Saban is excited about everyone back at outside linebacker; however, he knows what this team has with a healthy Lewis in front.
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Stephen M. Smith is the managing editor and senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.
