Sooners' hard-hitting Ronnell Lewis poised to set himself apart
By DAVE SITTLER World Sports Columnist
Published: 8/7/2010**2:19 AM
Last Modified: 8/7/2010**6:20 PM
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Related story: Into the spotlight.
NORMAN — If a vote were held at Friday's Media Day to select the biggest name on Oklahoma's defense, Travis Lewis would win in a landslide.
A few months from now, the junior from San Antonio, Texas, might not even be the best-known OU linebacker named Lewis.
If that's the case, the Sooners could finish higher than the No. 8 spot they were awarded Friday in the coaches' preseason Top 25 poll. They also might justify the media's prediction that OU is the team to beat in the Big 12's South Division race.
For as much publicity as Travis Lewis has deservedly received the past few weeks, fellow linebacker Ronnell Lewis was the center of much media attention Friday.
A 6-foot-2, 240-pound sophomore from Dewar, Ronnell Lewis received some notoriety late last season when head coach Bob Stoops nicknamed him "The Hammer."
Stoops' attempt a couple years ago to call Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Sam Bradford "The Big Easy" never caught on. But there's a good reason to believe "The Hammer" is a perfect fit for Ronnell Lewis.
"He's the most violent hitter I've been around," defensive coordinator Brent Venables said. "I haven't been all over the place, OK? But I've been here, and we've had some good players, and he's as violent as they come."
Ronnell Lewis first unleashed his intense violence on special teams last season. And while his only start came in the final game — a Sun Bowl win over Stanford — the former 8-man player demonstrated he could handle the 11-man game on the biggest college stage.
"He's incredibly powerful and explosive," Stoops said. "There's no question that he can be really special."
The younger Lewis is already special enough that Stoops and Venables are working overtime to find more ways to utilize his speed, strength and hard-hitting approach.
Led by Travis Lewis, a bona fide All-American candidate and NFL prospect at weakside linebacker, the Sooners are well-stocked at the three linebacker spots.
The depth chart lists Ronnell Lewis as the No. 1 middle linebacker, but Stoops and Venables would like to use "The Hammer" as "The Spinner" at times.
A hybrid position that Stoops first devised when he was Florida's defensive coordinator, "The Spinner" was made popular at OU by former All-America defensive end Dan Cody.
The combo defensive end/linebacker position will allow the versatile Ronnell Lewis to play end or roam around as a blitzing linebacker.
OU already has two excellent defensive end veterans in Frank Alexander and Jeremy Beal, so Stoops said "Ronnell could stand up outside (the ends).
"I could see us using him there more and more because of his ability to blitz and do different things to hopefully make a difference."
OU's leading tackler the past two seasons, Travis Lewis is already a certified difference-maker. And Venables said yesterday, "Travis is the heart and soul," of the linebacking corps.
But championship clubs have several players capable of making a difference. If Ronnell Lewis can adapt to his various roles quickly, OU's talented but young defense could be the linchpin to a team that thinks it's going to be good on offense, but isn't sure at this point.
"A year ago, we were first or second in (the Big 12) in about every defensive category," Stoops said. "But this defense has a chance to be every bit as good as last year's … or better."
Ronnell Lewis became a special-teams star because, Venables said, his mission as a raw rookie was simple: "See the ball, get the ball."
He saw it and got to it fast and violent enough times to fill a highlight reel. He also contributed 22 tackles (11 unassisted) for a physically beat-up Sooner team that finished a disappointing 8-5.
The adjustment to major-college football was bound to be huge for Ronnell Lewis, because he played 11-man only his senior season at Dewar. But his physical gifts and punishing style convinced Stoops and Venables to put him on a crash course last spring of learning two positions, and the education will continue during fall camp.
OU lost one of the biggest defensive names in its proud, rich history when consensus All-American tackle Gerald McCoy opted to enter the NFL draft instead of returning for his senior season.
Venables believes he can successfully fill McCoy's huge Nikes by committee. But the importance of an effective pass rush led by a blitzing Ronnell Lewis is multiplied because the Sooners are breaking in two new cornerbacks.
"We've got to give (Ronnell) what he can handle and not overwhelm him," Venables said. "But he's a very hungry, humble young guy that loves to play the game and really loves to be coached."
If Stoops and Venables can coach him up to their standards, OU's defense will have plenty of room for both Lewises to make a difference for their team and a name for themselves.
Original Print Headline: Hard-hitting Sooner poised to set himself apart
By DAVE SITTLER World Sports Columnist
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Originally Posted by OK2U
