All-State 2008: Ronnell Lewis (Defensive Lineman)

DEWAR — Dewar senior Ronnell Lewis is an Oklahoman All-State linebacker.

But the Oklahoma oral commit doesn't have much time to enjoy postseason accolades. He finished high school a semester early, will play in the Under Armour All-America game on Jan. 4 in Orlando, Fla., and will start school at OU in January. “I'm pretty pumped up about it,” Lewis said.

Lewis (6-foot-3, 220 pounds) was one of 82 players invited to play in the game. He is the state's only representative, although he'll be joined by fellow Oklahoma commits Justin Chaisson, a defensive end from Las Vegas, and Tom Wort, a linebacker from New Braunfels, Texas.

Lewis will start classes at OU after the All-America game.

“It will give me a better feel for the terminology,” Lewis said. “I sat in a linebackers' meeting, and there was a lot of stuff I didn't know. It will also give me a chance to work on technique.”

Dewar coach Josh Been said Lewis decided to leave high school a semester early after it was discovered that he was close enough to having enough credits to graduate.

“We talked to our school administration, and we knew he was pretty close to finishing,” Been said. “He was far enough along to where it wasn't a big deal. He was able to double up on some things.”

Norman and the University of Oklahoma will be a far cry from Dewar, but Lewis is looking forward to the opportunity.

“I'm just gonna go up there and work,” Lewis said. “It's a big transition for me, but I'm looking forward to it.”