Myron Lewis, FS

Lewis teamed with 2009 fourth-round pick D.J. Moore (Chicago Bears) to give the Commodores arguably the SEC's top pair cornerback tandem in 2008. Opponents chose to pick their poison -- and pick on Lewis instead of Moore -- in '08.

He has a unique combination of size and speed. Lewis had 49 tackles and 12 passes broken up as a sophomore and developed into an all-around weapon for the Commodores last season, proving to be a capable defender in coverage (six PBUs, including four INTs) but as a force in other areas (76 tackles, seven TFL, five sacks, two forced fumbles). His game-winning interceptions against Auburn and Boston College in the Music City Bowl were two of the team's highlights last season.

Teams chose to throw away from Lewis in 2009. His statistics (41 tackles, 12 passes broken up, four INTs) are modest but do reflect the respect opponents had for the second-team All-SEC pick.

Though agile enough to remain at cornerback, some teams will consider free safety Lewis' best NFL position. An alert defender and reliable open-field tackler, Lewis should benefit from that fact that he can step in wherever his NFL team needs immediate help.

Read & React: Good read-and-react skills. Has the potential to play safety or cornerback. Reads and recognizes the motive of the receiver and puts himself in position to make plays. Will read the action in the backfield and can jump routes. Recognizes run quickly and attacks the line of scrimmage.

Man Coverage: Has good size but is high-cut and might lack the balance to remain at cornerback in the NFL. Loses a step in his transition and too often has to gather himself when making lateral cuts. Has the upper-body strength and hand placement to provide an effective jam at the line of scrimmage, but typically played off-man.

Zone Coverage: Rare height and bulk for the cornerback position. Good straight-line speed. Alert defender who reads the quarterback's eyes. Times leaps and competes well for jump balls. Physical, versatile defender. Good open-field tackler.

Closing/Recovery: Lacks the balance and agility to mirror wide receivers into and out of their breaks. Good, but not great straight-line speed to recover if beaten initially. Good hands for the interception. Has a penchant for making the big play in big games.

Run Support: Active in run support. Reads run quickly and fights through receiver blocks. Agile enough to avoid oncoming linemen and is willing to take on blockers. Reliable open-field tackler who flashes big-hitting ability.

Tackling: Secure open-field tackler who will wrap up and hit with authority. Experienced blitzer with closing speed.

Intangibles: Missed the 2009 spring after undergoing arthroscopic shoulder surgery. Takes his academics seriously. Graduated in December of 2009 with a degree in Human and Organizational Development. Was a 2008 Academic Honor Roll Recipient. Good bloodlines. Brothers Hamin and Hanik Milligan played in the NFL. Might be an ascending talent whose NFL future is at safety.

NFL Comparison: Julian Battle, Redskins

Earned Second Team All-SEC recognition in postseason votes by league coaches and Associated Press sportswriters … Entered season on Thorpe Award watchlist … Team's most experienced player in secondary, started first 11 games at cornerback, before missing finale at Tennessee with a knee injury that happened on Lewis' interception vs. Kentucky … Ranked among the SEC's top five in interceptions (4) and defensed passes (12) … Finished career with 10 interceptions, tied for eighth all-time on Commodore lists … Also totalled 170 tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss, and five QB sacks … Earned 36 career starts, most among active position players, in 46 appearances … Also contributed 26 solo tackles, 41 total tackles and 2.5 tackles for loss as a senior … Posted two interceptions in victory at Rice, earning team's Defensive Player of the Week honor … Matched career highs in total tackles (10) and solo tackles (6) at LSU … Also had 1.5 tackles for loss at LSU … Added interception and six tackles in loss to Ole Miss … Opened season with three defensed passes in win over Western Carolina … Served on team's leadership council.

Started every game as junior cornerback, extending consecutive start streak to 25 games … Formed outstanding cornerback tandem with All-America and All-SEC performer D.J. Moore … Concluded season as team's fourth leading tackler (76) … Shared Commodore team lead with five quarterback sacks, and ranked second in interceptions (5) and defensed passes (6), and third in tackles for loss (7) forced fumbles (2) … Provided one of the top Commodore highlights of 2008 - clinching Gaylord Hotels Music City Bowl victory over Boston College with last-minute interception … Also added four total tackles and a defensed pass in bowl win … Contributed eight tackles and an interception in win at Miami (Ohio) to open season … Produced outstanding game against Rice, registered a career-high 10 tackles, including two quarterback sacks … Played key defensive role in Vanderbilt's home win over ranked Auburn, contributing a QB sack and late interception that sealed the victory … Added sacks against Duke, Florida and Tennessee … Gave Commodores excellent scoring opportunity early against the Vols, intercepting pass at the UT 35-yard line.

First-year starter put together superb campaign starting at cornerback across from All-SEC performer D.J. Moore … Impressive play of inexperienced Lewis-Moore duo served as key ingredient to Commodores having one of nation's top-ranked defensive units … Garnered all-conference consideration after ranking among the SEC leaders and topping team with 12 pass breakups, most by a Commodore defender in 11 years … Led the team with a pair of forced fumbles and shared team lead with two fumble recoveries … Also ranked sixth on the squad with 33 solo tackles and 49 total tackles … Started every game at CB … Posted at least three tackles in 10 games … Had defensed passes in five consecutive early-season games, including posting three breakups in win over Eastern Michigan and in narrow loss to Georgia … Named team's Defensive Player of the Week after notching first career interception and four tackles at Auburn … Returned fumble 25 yards in Eastern Michigan game … Showed talent early in year with four-tackle, two pass breakup effort vs. Alabama … Ended season with at least four tackles in final four games … Posted career bests in solo tackles (6) and total tackles (8) in season finale vs. Wake Forest … Had seven tackles in last-minute loss at Tennessee.

Played in 10 games as a true freshman, contributing primarily on special teams … Also limited action in secondary following injury of safety Ben Koger … Credited with four solo tackles on season … Returned two kickoffs for 23 yards.

Four-year starter and captain … Versatile athlete, playing receiver, defensive back, kicker and punter … As senior, posted 40 catches for 750 yards and 10 TDs as receiver, and 85 tackles, 20 defensed passes and two interceptions as DB … Netted 16 INTs, 70 receptions and more than 30 TDs in prep career … Two-time MVP for Golden Tornadoes … Named First-Team 2A All-State by Florida Sports Writers Association and First Team 2A All-Broward County by Miami Herald … Selected to play in Dade-Broward Prep All-Star Game … Three-year starter in basketball, currently averages double digits in points and rebounds.

Myron A. Lewis … Son of Gloria Milligan and Myron Lewis Sr … Has four brothers … Mom works for local school system; dad is electrician … Two brothers, Hamin Milligan and Hanik Milligan, are currently playing pro football … Hopes of become business owner … An honors student who enjoys perfect school attendance … Recipient of Horatio Algers Scholarship.