Penn State Football Recruiting: Meet Flagship Recruit Eugene Lewis

The Penn State Nittany Lions have had their struggles on the recruiting trail this season.

The Nittany Lions currently have 15 total commitments. Four of those commitments are 4-star prospects, and the rest are at least a level below that.

Penn State loses talent at several positions heading into the 2012 season. Returning players or incoming freshmen will need to step into important roles if the Nittany Lions want to find success next season.

The Nittany Lions do not boast a major headline recruit to the standard of the Floridas or Texases of the college football world.

Eugene Lewis is the closest the Nittany Lions come to recruiting paydirt.

It is time to meet Mr. Lewis and see what he brings to Happy Valley next season.

In-State Commitment

It is important for every major college football program to take care of business on their own turf. Penn State did not do a great job in-state, but Eugene Lewis was a great grab.

Lewis hails from Wyoming Valley West High School. His hometown is about 130 miles from Happy Valley.

Penn State does not have a lot to hand their hat on in the 2012 recruiting class. Locking down the No. 4 recruit in the state, according to rivals.com, is a big confidence booster for a struggling program.

Solid Frame

Penn State loses Derek Moye's 6'5'' receiving frame to graduation. Eugene Lewis is not as big as Moye, but he has a solid frame nonetheless.

Lewis stands 6'2'', but still has a lanky high-school build. His height will be a plus in his freshman season. If he can add bulk, it will allow him to progress much faster against stronger collegiate defensive backs.

Whether Matt McGloin, Rob Bolden or Paul Jones are behind center, Lewis' frame will be appreciated. It will allow Lewis to be a deep threat and will also command attention in the redzone.

Versatile Weapon

Eugene Lewis has experience at quarterback, wide receiver and defensive back in his high school career.

He is expected to play wide receiver at the college level, but versatility never hurts.

Penn State showed off a Wildcat formation at the tail end of the 2011 season. New head coach Bill O'Brien may not show the same look, but Lewis' versatility could definitely play a role if the Nittany Lions ever choose to go that route.

Lewis is expected to play on the outside and could see time as Penn State's No. 2 receiver next to Justin Brown early in the season. He has not played receiver since his sophomore season in high school, but he showed promise before making the move to quarterback.

Do not expect to see Lewis behind center in a conventional manner, but Penn State needs to get Lewis touches in whatever way they can. Even when Lewis was stuck behind center this past season, he managed to rush for 17 touchdowns.

Runs a 4.5 40-Yard Dash

Penn State's offense has plenty of speed. Silas Redd, Bill Belton and Devon Smith are all homerun threats in the open field.

Eugene Lewis is just as dangerous in the open field, but he does not have the top-notch speed some of his future teammates possess.

If Lewis gets knocked for one thing by scouts, it is his speed. That does not mean he cannot break loose at any given moment, because he can.

Forty-yard dash time can be overblown. It does not take into account the ability to elude defenders, run routes or accelerate out of a cut.

High School Accolades

Eugene Lewis is one of the biggest names in Pennsylvania high school football for good reason.

Lewis was named to the 4A all-state second team by the Pennsylvania Sports Writers Class. He was also named the WVC Coaches Big School Offensive Player of the Year and was selected to The Times Leader All-WVC Team for his second consecutive season.

The Nittany Lions locked down one of the most consistent threats in Pennsylvania by bringing Lewis into their football fold.

Penn State can only hope his high school talents translate to the next level.

What to Expect

Penn State fans should expect to hear Lewis' name mentioned the second he steps onto campus.

Lewis has the skills to compete from day one at wide receiver. Derek Moye is gone, and Justin Brown has not shown the consistent hands needed to be a true No. 1 target.

Beyond Brown, Penn State has several very athletic, but raw, receiving targets.

That leaves the door open for Lewis to compete for playing time on the outside. If he has a strong showing in spring practice, you can expect to see Lewis on the field in Week 1.

How He Fits in

New Penn State head coach Bill O'Brien is set to run a spread attack on offense. Penn State is familiar with this idea recently, but they have not had enough success.

The revamped strategy will rely on playmakers to step up. Eugene Lewis will have an opportunity to play an immediate role in O'Brien's high-flying attack.

The spread offense uses four to five receivers on most plays. That leaves room for a lot of competition on the outside.

According to scout.com, Lewis has exceptional instincts and has a different speed once the ball is in his hands. He is described as a smooth and fluid athlete with a scat-back running style.

Penn State will need players to run after the catch. Lewis' size and open-field vision will allow him to work underneath, or down the field.

No matter how you cut it, Lewis will fit right in to Penn State's offensive attack. That is, if Penn State can find a quarterback to get him the ball.