Citrus CB says he's a Gopher

Glendora, CA (Football) -- After taking a trip to the Twin Cities this past weekend, sophomore defensive back Christyn Lewis has come back and decided to commit to the University of Minnesota where he has been offered a scholarship. Lewis becomes just the second Fighting Owl since 2002 to accept a scholarship offer from a Big 10 School.

“It really just came down to the coaching staff,” Lewis said of his recruitment. “When I met [Co-Defensive Coordinator and Defensive Backs] Coach [Ronnie] Lee I got a good feeling. I knew he would be my next coach.”

During the 2008 season, Lewis recorded 33 tackles, five pass break-ups, and three blocked kicks as a freshman. So far in his sophomore campaign Lewis has all ready surpassed that with 33 tackles, one interception, six pass break-ups, a forced fumble, and two blocked kicks. Lewis was also named the Week 3 Central Conference Defensive Player of the Week earlier in the season.

“Playing here at Citrus for these two years has played a real big role in moving on to the next level,” Lewis said. “[Head] Coach Ponciano has played the biggest role. He kept my head on straight, and kept me in the fight. He made sure that I went to class every day, and made sure that I did what it is that I needed to do.”

“Christyn is going to set the high water mark, physically and academically for us here at Citrus,” Ponciano said. “He has done everything we asked of him and know it’s paying off. When Christyn got here he weighed 130 pounds, now he’s put on 35 pounds of muscle and weighs 165. The Big 10 also has some of the strictest academic standards in the nation. His hard work and diligence has paid off. I can’t say how proud of him I am.”

Lewis is the first Fighting Owl to commit from the Class of 2009. Once the season and semester is over, Lewis will early enroll in at Minnesota and begin classes and workouts in the Spring of 2010.

Christyn Lewis Scout Profile