Athletic Lewis ready for “jump”

Drew Lewis has yet to make much of an impact on the field at Colorado, but the junior linebacker is already becoming somewhat of a legend with his workouts and athleticism.

Last month, running back Phillip Lindsay told a story about Lewis crushing a 400meter run on an inclined treadmill. It’s an exercise that not many Buffs can complete, Lindsay said, but Lewis finished like it was no big deal.

“Drew is one of the most athletic men I have ever been around in my life, other than (former CU cornerback Chidobe Awuzie),” Lindsay said.

In May, Lewis had a standing broad jump of 130 inches, which would have topped every linebacker at the NFL combine. Outside linebacker Derek McCartney has marveled at Lewis’ strength.

“I love hearing that kind of stuff,” Lewis said. “It’s always fun to see that stuff.”

The 6-foot-2, 220-pound Lewis, however, isn’t letting that go to his head. He realizes all that matters is what he does on the field.

“It’s a lot of hype, it’s good to hear, but when it comes down to it, I still have a lot to prove,” he said.

Lewis is projected to start at “Jack” linebacker, where Kenneth Olugbode, now with the Cleveland Browns, starred for the past three years. Playing behind several veterans last year, Lewis was on the field for just 46 defensive snaps, recording eight tackles and a sack.

Now, he has a chance to show he can play full time.

“Having to step up into Kenneth Olugbode’s shoes, everybody is saying: ‘He was a big-time player. Are you going to be able to do that?’ ” Lewis said. “I think, ‘Absolutely.’ I mimic my game after him. I’m going to try to do exactly what he did, if not better than he did.”

Coming out of Eastlake High School in Sammamish, Wash., Lewis signed with the hometown Washington Huskies, redshirting in 2014. In 2015, he played at Coffeyville (Kan.) Community College before coming to CU.

Having a second chance to shine in the Pac-12 only adds to his motivation.

“That whole route I took to get here, I don’t forget about that kind of stuff,” he said. “It all adds to fueling my fire.”