Michigan Lands A True Diamond In The Rough

By Billy Tucker

We didn't actually chuckle this past spring when first evaluating Taylor Lewan (Scottsdale, Ariz./Chaparral) on film as a junior defensive tackle at Cactus Shadows High School (Scootsdale, Ariz.), but we weren't totally impressed, either. The transformation he has made from an unheralded, nonrecruited defensive lineman into ESPN's No. 14 ranked offensive tackle in less than a year has been nothing short of amazing. However, it didn't come without a lot of hard work and an earnest trust in a new coaching staff.

When the 6-foot-6, 255-pound, long, angular transfer showed up for Chaparral's first spring practice in April, Ragle saw a prototypical Division I offensive tackle body. Shortly after the wide-eyed Lewan took the field for the first time, Ragle also witnessed rare athleticism.

"My very first day with the team, everyone was staring at me because I was the new kid," Lewan said. "We just got timed in the 40 that first practice, but I ran a high 4.6 on my first try and then 4.7 in my next two."

While coveted size and athleticism were apparent at first glance, his technique and skill set still were raw when he first lined up at offensive tackle. Not deterred, Lewan became a sponge at Chaparral. He received tutelage from a staff deep with NFL and college coaching experience, particularly at offensive line.

Veteran offensive line coach Rod Humenuik spent 20 years molding NFL players, and he quickly took a liking to Lewan and began applying his knowledge.

"Words can't explain what [Humenuik] did for me in such a short period of time," Lewan said. "He taught me a bunch of stuff, and I couldn't have walked into a better situation with him, coach Ragle and Craig."

Craig is ESPNU 150 defensive end and fellow Michigan pledge Craig Roh (Scottsdale, Ariz./Chaparral). He quickly befriended Lewan and began working with him during and after practice to hone his skills on the line.

"Craig did a lot for me and may be one of the reasons I didn't let up a sack [this past fall]," Lewan said. "Going against his speed and quickness every day in practice really helped."

Lewan also took it upon himself to improve as a tackle prospect, from hitting the weights hard to applying himself in practice to working on his technique during the spring at multiple weekend clinics. In a short period of time, he began to master the basics of the position.

Yet aside from practicing against Roh, Lewan had not put his skills up against elite competition -- that is, until he headed down to USC's Rising Senior Camp in June. The talent that comprises the camp roster each year is striking, but the novice offensive tackle didn't back down, proving he also had the sought-after toughness to accompany the natural size and athleticism.

"It was my first time really competing at offensive tackle," Lewan said. "Going in, I was a little nervous knowing big names where going to be there, but whenever I go into a competition, I go in with confidence."

The modest Lewan admitted he lost more one-on-one battle than he won, but the camp was the coming-out party for the recent Wolverines commit, at least in the eyes of Scouts Inc.

Lewan passed our eyeball test; he now checks in at close to 6-foot-7 and a chiseled 270 pounds. Although we agree he still looks a bit raw in terms of technique, he was resilient during drills, and his agility stood out even in the midst of some of the finer prospects in the country.

After similarly impressive showings at Minnesota and Arizons State camps, scholarships began to follow. However, it wasn't until Ragle sent out a senior highlight film comprising clips of Lewan's first five games that his stock really began to soar.

"Coach sent out the film to 14 schools, and all but USC offered," Lewan said.

Lewan's development into a top-15 offensive tackle has been nothing short of amazing. We feel Michigan is getting an offensive lineman with perhaps the best upside we have seen at the position in recent years. The coach who helped mold him into the upper-echelon positional prospect he is today agrees.

"He's as good athletically as any guy I have ever coached," Ragle said. "The thing that makes him so special is his upside when you think he's only been coached at the position for about eight months. But the one intangible that's most impressive is his nastiness --Taylor wants to burry someone on every play, and you can't coach that.

Lewan will have another chance to mix it up in the trenches and validate himself as one of the country's best before heading off to Ann Arbor. On Jan. 4, the Arizona native will suit up for the White squad as an Under Armour All-American. He eagerly anticipates the contest.

"I'm excited; it's going to be a lot of fun," Lewis said. "I'm just going to go in and compete like I'm not second-best to anyone anymore."

Offensive Firepower Heading To Oxford

We feel both these Sunshine State products will add dynamic presence to Mississippi's offensive roster next fall, but their individual experiences on the recruiting trail have been quite different.

The 5-foot-9 Neat transferred into Hallandale High School this past spring from Miami Edison, but unfortunately, copies of his junior highlight film didn't follow. With most colleges putting their emphasis on a prospect's junior production, Neat had little to show -- not to mention that his yardage and touchdown totals paled in comparison to what we just saw in his breakout senior season.

Florida International coach Mario Cristobal deserves the credit for being the first to discover the speedster and subsequently offer him a scholarship this past summer. Unfortunately, we knew Cristobal's chances of signing him come February were slim once Hallandale coach Dameon Jones sent us senior game footage in November. We weren't the only ones in awe of his 1,500-plus all-purpose yards and 12 touchdowns.

"At first, colleges started calling my head coach, asking about me after they saw the film," Neat said. "Then they started calling me and offering scholarships."

What they saw was a true home run threat in space and a kid who seemingly ran bigger between the tackles with deceptive power and awesome balance. Neat is a small but explosive package with equally impressive hands when lined up in the slot. While a late bloomer, there's no doubt he has major BCS talent and could end up being a steal for Ole Miss.

Neat's polished receiving skills and overall versatility as a skill player made him a coveted prospect for the Rebels, and their future plans on how to utilize him are what led to his commitment.

"I think I fit in perfectly with their offense," Neat said. "They want to use me in the slot, at running back and at quarterback in their "Wild Hog" formation like coach Nutt did with Darren McFadden at Arkansas."

Neat Family

Korvic Neat's speed will be an asset in the SEC.

However, high exposure often is accompanied by frenzied recruitment. And it certainly has been an up-and-down recruiting season for ESPN's No. 23 back. A one-time Auburn commit, Scott parted ways with the Tigers following coach Tommy Tuberville's resignation.

Yet he feels comfortable in his selection of Ole Miss this week, and like Neat, he is excited about his future role with Mississippi, a program that never really stopped recruiting him.

"They run a similar offense as our high school and plan to use me in the same way," Scott said. "They like me as a tailback and think I can catch a lot of balls out of the backfield for them."

Rebels fans are hoping for similar production as well, since Scott amassed more than 1,500 yards on the ground for Dixie County this season and another 300 in the air.

While there are disparities in how they eventually landed at Ole Miss, both Scott and Neat were sold on the same aspects: a family atmosphere and an energetic coach with a blueprint for success in the SEC.

"Coach is a real good guy, and the player and coaches seem like one big family," Scott said.

Neat echoed similar sentiments from his visit in early December while the Rebels were preparing for the Cotton Bowl.

"Coach is always smiling, cheering and encouraging guys to do better even when they mess up," Neat said.

Nutt told Scott that Ole Miss could be in Atlanta next year playing for an SEC championship.

And it's hard to argue with an SEC coach of year, particularly with the exploits we have seen off the field so far.