FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. – College affiliation is an important part of an NFL locker room. It creates instant relationships and can always serve as a conversation starter – or friendly competition igniter.
The majority of Falcons players hail from large schools with major, athletic conference ties – Georgia, Florida State and Louisville to name a few.
But a few players chose to go to smaller institutions.
Players like rookie defensive tackle Trey Lewis, who chose to accept an offer to play at Washburn University, a NCAA Division II school in Topeka, Kan. with a student population of about 7,200.
“It’s probably more of a chip on my shoulder than a setback,” Lewis said when asked about his school. “I don’t think it matters now. Obviously I’m here, so it didn’t matter that I come from a small school.”
The Falcons selected Lewis with their first of four sixth-round picks in the NFL Draft (185th overall). He is the third Washburn player all-time time to be drafted and the first since linebacker Troy Stedman was taken in the seventh-round in 1988.
More than a few fans had to jump on the Internet to discover Lewis' credentials and get some info on Washburn’s exact location.
A few key strokes revealed Washburn’s status as the Mid-American Intercollegiate Athletic Association’s No. 2-ranked defense and Lewis’ career totals of 156 tackles (23 for loss), 10 sacks, two passes defensed, three forced fumbles and one blocked kick.
He also earned first-team All-American honors from several agencies covering Division II football, including the Associated Press.
Lewis is currently working in a rotation between the Falcons first and second team defense with Rod Coleman and Grady Jackson slowed by injuries. He’s shown his athleticism and recently worked his way into Head Coach Bobby Petrino’s notice.
“I think we were kind of thinking of him as a (nose tackle) when we first drafted him,” Petrino said. “Then he came in here and maybe he was a little more athletic than we thought and more suited for the three technique and able to rush the passer. I think eventually, maybe when he gets bigger and stronger, he might move back over to the nose. Right now his strength is his quickness and his athletic ability.”
Lewis, who entered the offseason at 320 pounds, agrees.
“I can play the nose I think but, at the same time, I think it would kind of be a waste of my agility,” he said. “I feel like I’m a little bit more nimble than most (nose tackles) are. But I think if I get the techniques down a little better I’ll be good at the three. I like it there.”
He also likes it in Atlanta and spent the first practices of Russell Falcons Training Camp balancing the pressure from well-wishers and his own competitive nature.
“The first few days were a little shaky,” Lewis said. “The last three have been a lot better. It took a little while to get used to how to get my head right, just focusing on what I’m supposed to be doing. After that I calmed down a little bit and have been playing a lot better these last couple days.
“I think there’s definitely a little bit of pressure from home to make sure I represent the school well and the town well. I’m probably the first person to get drafted out of Topeka, let alone Washburn, in a long time.”
Lewis, who grew up in Topeka, decided on Washburn because it’s proximity to home and the opportunity it allowed him to start and for his father to attend home games.
But he’s happy he became an “Ichabod” and knows, no matter what, he’ll make his hometown proud.
Of course, that doesn’t quite squelch the pressure he’ll continue to put on himself to carve out a place in the locker room and get Washburn a place next to the big-time schools of teammates.
“When I’m here in camp I don’t answer a whole lot of calls so it’s not that big of deal,” Lewis said. “It’s not a lot of calls it’s just, when I go back home, I know everyone’s rooting for me to do well… I know they’re all behind me and I don’t want to let them or myself down.
“Right now it’s just getting better every day; hopefully, of course, I make the team. If not, at least I'm getting better every day so when we get to preseason games other teams can see me. But, you know, I really like Atlanta and want to stay here. The main focus is getting better and making the team.”
