‘I can ask Rob anything, and he will respond as quickly as coach (Marcus) Davis would.’
Robert Lewis is getting his crack at the SEC after coming close a couple years ago.
Lewis, a late bloomer from Newton High School in the Atlanta suburbs, received his first Power Five invitation after his junior season. Tennessee contacted Lewis, but they wanted him to play defensive back. During Lewis’ senior season, Kentucky extended an offer to play receiver, but when Lewis attempted to commit, they told him he was too far down their list.
So, following a highly fruitful career at Georgia State, Lewis — now one of Auburn’s most experienced wideouts — believes he has the experience and tools to flourish at the top level.
“Knowing they needed receivers, I think I’m able to be that type of guy to help the room and the team,” Lewis said after deciding to transfer to the Tigers this offseason.
Lewis has easily incorporated himself into Auburn’s offensive design this spring, earning accolades from teammates and coaches for his leadership and consistency on the practice field. Auburn’s receiving corps struggled last season, and Lewis is establishing himself as the veteran balance to the Tigers’ influx of young talent, including Cam Coleman and Perry Thompson.
“I think he’s our most polished receiver,” California transfer Sam Jackson V said of Lewis. “He’s a senior, fourth or fifth year, and he’s quite knowledgeable about the game. His leadership style demonstrates his passion. I can ask Rob anything, and he’ll respond as quickly as coach (Marcus) Davis does.”
Lewis was Auburn’s first transfer of the 2024 cycle in early December. He put his belief in Hugh Freeze during an uncertain few weeks as the Tigers’ offensive coordinator, and he was overjoyed when they hired Ole Miss receivers coach Derrick Nix in January.
“(Nix) is receiver-friendly,” Lewis explained. “That was perfect for what I wanted to accomplish.”
Lewis, a fifth-year senior, brings more than 1,300 career receiving yards and 14 touchdowns to the Plains. Lewis, who stands 5 feet 10 and weighs 178 pounds, was one of the Group of Five’s most dynamic ball catchers in 2022, averaging 17.2 yards per reception and six touchdowns. Last season, he improved even more, leading Georgia State in receptions (70), yards (877), and touchdowns (seven).
Auburn returned only 60 receptions from last season’s receiving corps.
“I’m definitely glad we got him,” Davis said about Lewis. “… You tell him something once, then he’ll be coaching somebody else on how to do it.”
Lewis, who has largely played in the slot this spring, said he is comfortable as a leader on a new team but does not want to overstep his boundaries. He has a lot to prove as a veteran coming from the Group of Five level, but he hopes his performance speaks for itself in a room full of questions following a tough 2023 season.
“I’m not trying to force anything on anybody,” he stated. “… I want to demonstrate how good I am on the field through my work ethic.” … “The sky is the limit for everyone in that room as long as we work hard and collaborate.”
