Malachi Lewis arrived in Eugene a running back.
Midway through training camp, he was an H-back. Now, with USC about to arrive, the native of Oxnard in Southern California is making an impact for the No. 5 Oregon Ducks.
“I had to try to catch on and re-learn the plays at a different position, so it took me some time but I got the plays down,” Lewis said. “Right now, I’m just focusing on my blocking. I can run and catch pretty good right now.”
Oregon already had Jonathan Stewart, one of the nation’s top runners, and speedy Jeremiah Johnson at running back, so with injuries creating an opening at H-back, Lewis found his way to contribute.
The H-back position is a hybrid of a fullback and a tight end. The position also requires athletes to have the route-running and ball skills of a slot receiver. The freshman, who had only caught short passes out of the backfield in high school, had to sharpen his receiving skills and improve his blocking. It was a change for Lewis, who ran for 1,406 yards and 23 touchdowns last season as the go-to running back for Rio Mesa High.
“In the backfield, the defender’s coming to you, but now you have to go out and seek the defender,” Lewis said. “So it’s a little different and then when you’re blocking 6-6, 290 (defensive ends) fresh out of high school and never really having lifted weights, you got to use your technique.”
Time in the weight room has added weight and definition to his 6-foot-3, 215 pound frame.
“That’s helped a lot,” he said. “I can feel myself getting stronger, a little quicker off the ball.”
Lewis has already gained the respect of Johnson, who tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee against Washington State and is out for the season.
“He has some good blocking skills. He’s a big guy so he can take up a whole blocker instead of just shaking one off,” Johnson said. “He can catch real good. He can run good routes. He is an all-around player.”
Lewis made his first two catches of the season in Oregon’s 53-7 win over visiting Washington State. He made two catches for 21 yards, including an 18-yard reception.
“It was amazing – 60,000 fans out there – all the eyes are on you when you have the ball in your hands,” Lewis said. “It’s a whole lot different than high school.”
Oregon coaches have had Lewis watch game film of NFL tight ends Tony Gonzalez and Jeremy Shockey running similar routes.
Lewis, who has also been playing on special teams, recovered a blocked punt in the Ducks 48-27 win in the season opener against Houston. He returned it eight yards to the Houston 6-yard line. The Oregon offense took over and on the first play, quarterback Dennis Dixon threw a 6-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Jaison Williams for a 34-20 Ducks lead.
Lewis has long been familiar with Eugene. His mother, Sheila (Sattiewhite) Lewis, was a member of the Oregon women’s basketball team in the ’80s. Malachi Lewis too had been in Eugene before. Born at Sacred Heart Medical Center on July 26, 1989, Lewis soon relocated to Oxnard, where he grew up.
The versatile talent that can play a number of positions, including linebacker and safety, had his choice of colleges and Oregon was on a list that featured Arizona State, California, Georgia Tech and more.
His mom left the decision up to him, he said.
“She told me that (Eugene) is great and that the fans are always going to be there for you,” Lewis said.
Eugene also brought a slower pace than what he had been accustomed to. Lewis has only a sister so hanging out with his teammates he says has “been like the brothers I never had.”
“I wanted to come and experience something new for college,” Lewis said. “It’s a college town out here.”
Two of those teammates are Johnson and Stewart – both quality examples for Lewis, who says he has the option next season of returning to running back, staying at H-back or being a linebacker.
“The coach is going to hand (Johnson and Stewart) the ball 40 times and they’re going to take it 40 times and they’re going to want to stay in the game,” Lewis said.
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