Senior Profile: Ira Lewis a staple on Baylor's defensive line

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Ira Lewis is another one of the familiar faces returning for his senior year this fall. The fifth-year senior and defensive tackle is a valuable returning starter and one of only five players returning who wore a prestigious single digit jersey last fall. Lewis currently ranks fourth in career starts on the team with 19.

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Coming out of Lamar High School, Lewis was one of 11 D-Linemen on Houston’s Top 100 by VYPE and Rivals.com.

In 2016, his sophomore season, Lewis played in 12 of 13 games with 6 starts. In his first career start, the season-opener against Northwestern State, Lewis tallied 3 tackles for loss. Also in 2016, Lewis racked up 5 tackles and a career-high tying 3 solo stops against TCU. In the season of firsts for Lewis, he would also achieve his first career sack at Iowa State, and his first career fumble recovery against Kansas.

Last season, Lewis started all 12 games for the Bears. With 34 tackles on the season, a career-high 11.5 tackles for loss, and 5.5 sacks, Lewis finished the season ranked fifth in the Big 12 in sacks and eighth in tackles for loss. Against Texas, Lewis had four tackles, two tackles for loss, and one sack. When Baylor went to Duke, Lewis had five tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, and one sack.

In a post-practice interview this spring, Lewis talked about everyone getting more comfortable with each other going into year two under Coach Rhule and his staff.

“We are making each other better,” Lewis said. “Iron sharpens iron.”

In regards to his single-digit jersey status, Lewis was voted into that jersey number, No. 9, by his teammates. Lewis wants to make sure that his leadership comes across and extends beyond the field.

“You never know what somebody is going through,” Lewis said said, expressing his interest to talk to everyone on the team and not just the defensive line. “We’re a family and we are gonna handle things as a family. Nobody is gonna handle [anything] alone.”

Ira Lewis is from Houston, Texas and is majoring in Political Science.

Antonia’s Thoughts: Ira Lewis is a big key to Coach Phil Snow’s defensive puzzle that he has been piecing together since his arrival. Number wise, Lewis keeps improving season after season and is a clear leader on the team. As a single-digit jersey, I’d like to think that speaks volumes about his character inside and outside of the locker room.

I hope this season is no different for Lewis. I believe he will continue to improve and show his strength on the line. With his size and stature, he has a big heart and is going to be possibly one of the biggest morale leaders on either side of the ball. Opponents have a right to game plan for Lewis.