Oklahoma State University Athletics
Know Your Cowboys - Shaun Lewis
November 29, 2013 | Cowboy Football
Nov. 29, 2013
STILLWATER - As a four-year starter, Oklahoma State's Shaun Lewis has been surrounded by and has learned from several defensive standouts during his time in Stillwater.
In 2011, Lewis started on what was arguably one the best defenses in OSU history, a defense that ranked first in the country in takeaways and was also led by former standouts Jamie Blatnick and Markelle Martin, both of whom went on to the NFL.
However, in his final year with the Cowboys, Lewis is finally a true leader.
"I feel better than I've ever felt before," Lewis said. "I'm playing more for my teammates than I am for myself, and I don't want to let my team down. It's easy for me to go out and give everything I have and strive to make plays."
Lewis, a 5-foot-11 linebacker out of Missouri City, Texas, is a vital cog in an OSU defense that rank in the top 25 nationally in scoring defense (11th), turnovers gained (fifth), passes intercepted (third), red zone defense (fifth), pass efficiency defense (ninth), tackles for loss (10th), third-down conversion percentage defense (17th), fumbles recovered (16th) and rushing defense (24th) just one year after ranking in the top 25 nationally in only one of those categories (tackles for loss - 25th in 2012).
Early in the season, the team had to rely heavily on its defense to win games and Lewis and the rest of the crew delivered, limiting two of OSU's first three opponents without a touchdown. The OSU defense forced three turnovers and limited the top-ranked offense in the nation to 44 points and 231 yards below its season averages as part of OSU's unforgettable win over No. 3 Baylor on Nov. 23.
Yet, despite Lewis's seniority and active presence on the team, he is not a stereotypical team leader.
"Shaun really doesn't talk a lot," Oklahoma State defensive coordinator Glenn Spencer said. "He's very respectful, and he takes care of his business. At the same time, he has extremely high character and he's got a lot inside of him that makes him successful at whatever he chooses to do."
Perhaps Lewis stays away from rah-rah leadership because he doesn't have to with six other senior starters on the defense alone. It could also have to do with the linebacker's strong emphasis on his spiritual faith, which he isn't afraid to attribute his success to.
If you ask Lewis, though, he'll say he doesn't speak much because the only thing he's worried about is execution.
"My mindset is I'm going to listen to my coaches, watch film and execute the game plan," Lewis said. "The coaches do a great job of drawing up a game plan, and if the team executes it every week we have a good chance to win."
Lewis has been an important player on Oklahoma State's defense since he stepped on campus in 2010. The senior from Missouri City, Texas has started each of OSU's last 43 games and his 238 career tackles trail only Daytawion Lowe's 253 among active Cowboys. Lewis's 184 career solo tackles ranks him 15th nationally among all active players. With Lewis in the starting lineup, OSU is 35-8.
He has been a playmaker on the Cowboy defense all year, racking up 61 tackles, eight tackles for loss, three interceptions, two fumbles forced, two fumbles recovered, three pass breakups and a quarterback hurry. That said, one specific play gave a prime example of how Lewis' leadership is expressed by more than words.
Coach Mike Gundy said Lewis's shoestring tackle on the final drive of the Kansas State game was easily one of the biggest plays of the game.
"The quarterback is going to run for 20 yards on that play and get out of bounds, stopping the clock and continuing the drive," Gundy said. "But Shaun Lewis grabbed his ankles, tackled him and forced him to line back up. It took 18 seconds off the clock. That was as big a play as any of the last drive."
Lewis' focus on execution and maintaining a strong mental awareness helped him make that play and helped him provide a strong defensive presence despite the fact that he didn't miss a single defensive snap that day.
His overall performance earned him Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week honors for the second time in his career, but Lewis's words about how his defining play unfolded were much more effective than any award or accolade.
"Our coaches emphasized all week about watching the quarterback and keeping an eye on his running ability," Lewis said. "The opportunity presented itself to make that type of play so I had to lay out for my team. I kept on saying, `Don't wait for somebody else to make the play. You make the play.'"
Whatever the future holds for Lewis, Spencer said Lewis's point of view on the game of football can easily earn him future success.
"There are so many things about him that make him stand out as a really good player separate him from the guys that are just out there trying to make it," Spencer said. "The way he thinks about the game is what makes him so good, and the best is yet to come."
