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Last year during the Elite 11 finals, Bleacher Report did a feature on Johnathan Lewis comparing him to former Ohio State quarterback and current member of the Buffalo Bills Cardale Jones. At the time Lewis had yet to begin his senior year, but his size, arm-strength, and agility on his feet were very similar to that of Cardale Jones:
Neither Lewis nor Jones will blow you away with their straight-line speed, but they are both incredibly effective on their feet. Lewis runs the power-spread at St. Peters Prep, an offense that gives him many opportunities to run. He is big but athletic and is hard to bring down. Jones displayed a power-running style en route to leading Ohio State to a National Championship during the 2014 season. He wore down the Alabama defense and scored a big rushing TD against Oregon in the championship game.
Comparison #1: Bleacher Report
Rutgers is getting Cardale Jones 2.0 with QB commit Johnathan Lewis (@Kinglew__) https://t.co/p8RWkGeG24
— B/R The Future (@BR_TheFuture) July 1, 2016
Comparison #2: Head Coach Chris Ash on NSD
On National Signing Day head coach Chris Ash made a similar comparison when asked about the future of Johnathan Lewis on the Big Ten Network. Ash also mentioned that he will likely see the field as true freshman:
What can @RFootball fans expect out of the 2017 class?@CoachChrisAsh discussed his signees on #SigningDayOnBTN: https://t.co/LrBrPBXF1X
— Rutgers On BTN (@RutgersOnBTN) February 1, 2017
Comparison #3: BTN Analyst Stanley Jackson
Former Ohio State Buckeye quarterback and Big Ten Network analyst Stanley Jackson was on BTN Live reviewing film of Johnathan Lewis and compared him to Cardale Jones.
“When you look at him I am not sure he deserves a three-star he probably should be a four star. He’s another big kid 6-foot-4 225 pounds reminds me a little of Cardale Jones. He’s got size, arm-strength, and he’s got agility in the pocket. Now he’s not a burner, he ran a 4.9 40 but as you can see he’s elusive enough to get away, he’s not going to pull away like a Braxton Miller would do but he can hurt you with his legs and he can make every throw.”
QB Johnathan Lewis reminds @Jacksonville8 of Cardale Jones.
— Rutgers On BTN (@RutgersOnBTN) February 2, 2017
Are you excited to see Mr. Lewis play, @RFootball fans? https://t.co/qemSA58OUS
Johnathan Lewis has the talent, build, and intangibles to become a special quarterback in the Big-Ten. Let’s hope the comparisons to Cardale Jones continue!
The Johnathan Lewis Profile
6’ 4” 220 lbs. 4.6 ( 40 speed )
Scout - # 8 NJ - # 31 Dual Threat QB Nationally
24 / 7 - #16 NJ - # 16
Rivals - # 8 NJ - # 15
ESPN - #23 NJ - # 29
Consensus 3 Star * Dual Threat Quarterback National Recruit
For a full scouting breakdown on Lewis, click here.