DeWayne Lewis

In college, Lewis continued to compete in both football and track. He competed in track at Michigan State University, running the 60-meter event in 6.87 seconds in February 2006,[3] and winning the event at the 2006 Kangaroo Invitational.[4][5] Lewis also participated in Michigan State's spring football practice in 2005, but did not play in the regular season due to a shoulder injury.[6]

In the fall of 2007, Lewis transferred to Southern Utah University (SUU).[6] Michigan State head football coach John L. Smith said at the time that he liked Lewis's speed and wanted him to return, but Lewis sought a transfer to be closer to his mother. Smith contacted SUU's defensive coordinator Cole Wilson, who recruited Lewis to SUU.[6]

At SUU, Lewis competed in both football and track. He played football at SUU for three years (2006-2008), appearing in 32 games, including 28 games as a starter. He finished his college football career with 199 tackles and six interceptions.[1]

In the fall of 2007, Lewis played in 10 games at cornerback, seven as a starter. In 2008, he totaled 51 tackles, four interceptions, and 13 pass break-ups, and was named the Great West Conference Player of the Week after playing Montana State.[1][7] After Lewis's performance against Montana State, SUU defensive coordinator Cole Wilson said: "He's got the right frame of mind. It's Division I football here. You can make it big-time wherever you are."[6]

As a senior, he played in the 2009 East Coast Bowl All-Star Game, an all-star game featuring players from smaller colleges and universities, where he had several pass break ups during the game.[8][9] He also ran a 4.26 40-yard sprint at BYU's pro day.[1][10]

Lewis also competed in track at Southern Utah. He was a seven-time Mid-Continent Conference/The Summit League 100-meter champion while attending SUU. His sprinting career suffered a setback when he dislocated his shoulder at SUU's spring football game in April 2008. Lewis recalled the injury: "It was like a dagger. I felt like it was over for me, both track and football. But I stayed focused and keep the drive and determination and came back."[11] One month after the injury, Lewis qualified for the NCAA West Regional with a time of 10.61 seconds at the Mid-Continent Conference Championships.[11] At the West Regional, Lewis qualified to advance to the NCAA Track and Field Championships with a time of 10.40 seconds.[12][13] Lewis recalled his participation in the NCAA Track and Field Championship: "That was a great experience. It doesn't get any higher than that: To get a chance to face those guys at the top of the collegiate level."[6]

Lewis also twice broke Southern Utah's 60-meter dash record, with times of 6.88 in 2007 and 6.72 in 2008.[14][15][16] He was named the conference's athlete of the week four times.[17][18][19][20] In February 2009, Lewis was named one of the top 50 sprinters in the country.[21] He was also named SUU's Male Athlete of the Year in April 2008.[22]