Analyst: Vols RB signee Peyton Lewis could be 'one of the better backs in this cycle'
Tennessee introduced 27 players to their 2024 class on Wednesday, including multiple headliners such as Mike Matthews, Boo Carter, and Jordan Ross. Volquest caught up with On3 Director of Scouting and Rankings Charles Power to get his thoughts on Tennessee’s class and also asked who he felt the sleeper of the class could be.
Power’s answer was simple. Salem High School (Va.) four-star running back Peyton Lewis is one to keep an eye on, in his opinion.
“He is ranked pretty high, but I have to go with Peyton Lewis,” Power said on who his sleeper in the class would be. “He is a guy that I am just significantly higher on than everybody else. I think with his burst and production and when you look at the running back group nationally, he is one that has the profile from a speed perspective, a production perspective. I think there is a lot of positive indicators for him. He moved up for us in the last rankings, and I would not be shocked if we look back and he is one of the better running backs in this cycle.”
On Wednesday, Tennessee Head Coach Josh Heupel commented on what he believes the Vols are getting in the four-star signee as well.
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“A track kid that is electric with the ball in his hands,” Heupel said. “This year, you look at his development between the tackles, great vision, great ability, quickness, constantly chewing up ground as he’s working through the line of scrimmage, developed the ability to play with great pad level, smart, tough and competitive. Really excited about him.”
Lewis is currently rated as the No.131 overall prospect and No.9 running back in the 2024 On3 Rankings. Below is On3’s scouting evaluation of Lewis.
On3 Scouting Evaluation of Peyton Lewis
Big-play running back with one of the best combinations of size and speed at the position in the 2024 cycle. Measured at over 6-feet and around 190 pounds prior to his senior season. Has a low cut build with a longer torso and compact lower body. A top athlete who puts down impressive times on the track. A state champion in the 100 and 200 meters as a junior. Consistently runs sub-11.0 second 100 meter times with a personal best of 10.50 seconds, an elite mark. A productive and efficient runner on Friday nights. Plays in a downhill run scheme, regularly lining up in the I formation, but also takes direct snaps out of the backfield. A functional mover who can toggle gears and change speeds. Uses his speed to get to the edge before out-running defenders. Is not losing a footrace at the high school level. Displays solid vision and feet in working between the tackles. Can dip and dart to make defenders miss in confined spaces. Shows leg drive to run through contact at the second level. Uses contact balance to bounce off of defenders. Also makes an impact as a kick and punt returner. Rushed for 1,600 yards and 19 touchdowns at around 10 yards per carry late into his senior year. Also seeing time on defense, showing effort and conditioning. Does not play top competition for much of the year in western Virginia. A solid pass catcher, but can continue improving in the pass game. Has the high-end tools to be one of the top backs in the 2024 cycle given his every down ability and home run speed.
