4 Darryl Lewis
Posted: Tue Aug 27, 2024 5:40 am
Lewis began his Arizona career as the team's best all-around running back. Duane Akina convinced Coach Tomey and Lewis that he should switch to cornerback and it ended out okay - Lewis was a consensus All-American, won the Jim Thorpe Award, and was selected co-Defensive PAC-10 POY as a Senior. Lewis led the league his Senior year with 7 interceptions and was also 4th in punt returns. He famously had 2 decisive plays to win games as a Senior. Against UCLA he returned an interception for a TD in the final minute to put Arizona up 28-21. Also, on the final play of the game, Lewis knocked the Oregon QB out of bounds at the 1 yard line allowing Arizona to win 22-17. Lewis spent 10 years in the NFL with 32 interceptions with 5 returned for TDs.
