VooDoo sign Wide Receiver Derrick Lewis
October 29, 2007 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
New Orleans VooDoo News Release
WR Derrick Lewis, one of the Arena Football League's most coveted free agents, has signed a two-year contract with the New Orleans VooDoo, it was announced by the club today. A New Orleans native who played for the New Orleans Saints from 2002-2003, Lewis established himself as one of the top wide receivers in the Arena Football League in the past two seasons with the Austin Wranglers.
"Derrick was our top priority in the effort to upgrade our club in free agency," said VooDoo coach Mike Neu. "Over the past two seasons he has proven to be one of the top receivers in the AFL. Derrick's combination of character, leadership abilities and talent will have an impact on not only our offense, but our club as a whole."
Lewis (6-2, 185, San Diego State) appeared in 32 regular season games with the Wranglers and recorded 252 receptions for 3,314 yards and 64 touchdown catches. In 2007, Lewis made 139 receptions for 1,903 yards with 41 touchdowns. He finished the season ranked third in the AFL in catches and receiving yardage and was tied for fifth in scoring grabs. Lewis surpassed the 100-yards receiving mark in 11 games and had over 200 yards in two contests.
As a rookie in 2006, Lewis set an Arena Football League rookie receiving yardage record and a Wranglers team mark with 1,411 yards on 113 receptions with 23 touchdowns.
Before moving indoors, Lewis was originally signed out of college as an undrafted rookie free agent by the Saints in 2002. He spent the first 15 games of his rookie year on the practice squad, before being signed to the active roster for the year's final contest. In 2003, Lewis saw action in three games at wide receiver for New Orleans, recording one catch for seven yards. Lewis spent part of the 2004 season on the active roster of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and spent part of the 2006 campaign with the Houston Texans.
Lewis posted 85 receptions for 1,731 yards and seven touchdowns over a three-year career at San Diego State. As a senior in 2001, Lewis had 38 receptions for 398 yards with the Aztecs. As a junior in 2000, Lewis had 31 receptions for 782 yards and three touchdowns. His 25.2 yards per catch average was the best in the nation.
Lewis prepped at Joseph S. Clark High School in New Orleans, where he became the first area prep athlete to qualify in four events at the state track meet. Lewis holds Louisiana state high school records in the long jump and the triple jump.
Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from October 29, 2007
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- Dragons Sign Three to Roster - New York Dragons
- Cleveland Makes Statement In Free Agency - Cleveland Gladiators
- VooDoo sign Wide Receiver Derrick Lewis - New Orleans VooDoo
- 2008 AFL free agency begins today - AFL I
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