Alex Khvatov:  What is your height, weight and 40 time?

Jamal Lewis:  I am 6’0” 205 and last time I ran in the low 4.5’s. 

Alex Khvatov:  What schools showed interest in you during the recruiting process?

Jamal Lewis:  Wake Forest, Auburn, UConn and Georgia Tech.

Alex Khvatov:  Why did you choose Georgia Tech?

Jamal Lewis:  It was closer to home.  I felt comfortable with the coaches and the players here.  Academics were a key and it played a role.

Alex Khvatov:  Are you proud to have the same name as the RB of the Browns?

Jamal Lewis:  That’s a great name to have.  Sometimes people hear the name, and I get mistaken for him.  I have to remind them that I am the other Jamal Lewis from Georgia Tech.

Alex Khvatov:  How are you preparing for the draft? 

Jamal Lewis:  I am working out twice a day Monday through Friday and some Saturdays.  I am just lifting weights and working on some of my weaknesses.  I am working on my technique.  I am learning new things.  I am also multi-tasking by going to class at the same time.  I am taking five classes this semester, so I can graduate.  I am striving to be the best.

Alex Khvatov:  How are you enjoying the whole draft process?

Jamal Lewis:  I really haven’t gotten into it.  I put it in my agent’s hands and put in the NFL scouts’ hands.  I am just working out and getting in the best shape, so I can perform well at the pro day.

Alex Khvatov:  Where do you think you are going in the draft?

Jamal Lewis:  Late rounds in the draft.  I try not to look at it.  I know a few guys that didn’t go to the Scouting Combine or any of the All-Star games and they got drafted in the fourth or the fifth round.  Everything happens for a reason.  It has given me an opportunity to work out more and get in the best shape of my life.  I have been working out really hard and I haven’t felt better.  I am going to show them that I am a good player.

Alex Khvatov:  What are your strengths on the football field?

Jamal Lewis:  I understand the game.  I played for our defensive coordinator Jon Tenuta who made it pretty simplistic for us.  He allows you to learn the game before you get on the field.  In our defense, you had to read formations and personnel.  I also played safety and corner in my career. 

Alex Khvatov:  What did you learn from your former defensive coordinator Jon Tenuta?

Jamal Lewis:  He is like a drill sergeant out there.  He is yelling at you because he wants to make you a better football player.  As I grew, I learned that it was just the way he taught us.  He wanted to get the most out of everyone.

Alex Khvatov:  What are your weaknesses?

Jamal Lewis:  Everybody has weaknesses.  I should work on my strength and conditioning and explosion.  I have gained some strength and quickness since I have been working out.

Alex Khvatov:  What is your favorite team?

Jamal Lewis:  I liked Florida State growing up.  I was rooting for the Giants this year because I had some former teammates that played for them.

Alex Khvatov:  Who is your favorite player?

Jamal Lewis:  Growing up, I had the privilege of watching Deion Sanders play here in Atlanta.  I admire Ed Reed and Dawan Landry.  Those guys are some great safeties.  James Butler taught me a lot of things when he was here.  I also admire Gibril Wilson.     

Alex Khvatov:  What is the highlight of your football career up to this point?

Jamal Lewis:  My junior year when I switched from cornerback to safety.  It made me learn the game more.  I also went to the ACC Championship game that year, and we played against Virginia Tech in an almost BCS Bowl.  I played better as a junior than as a senior.  I had an OK senior campaign.

Alex Khvatov:  Tell me about your teammate RB Tashard Choice.

Jamal Lewis:  Tashard Choice is a great guy.  We grew up together.  I have known him since Pee Wee football days.  He has always been the same.  He is a great leader and a motivator.  He is a team guy.  He is a great RB prospect.  He should be a great running back at the next level. 

Alex Khvatov:  Describe Philip Wheeler.

Jamal Lewis:  Phil is a great guy.  He has been a freak throughout the whole year.  He was always around the ball.  He made a lot of plays for us.  You couldn’t block him in pass rush situations.  He is a fun guy.  It was great playing with him.

Alex Khvatov:  Describe your former teammate WR Calvin Johnson.

Jamal Lewis:  Oh Calvin, we called him ‘Big Play CJ’.  He doesn’t say much on the field.  He leads by example.  He is a very humble and approachable guy.  He comes from a great family.

Alex Khvatov:  How did you feel being the leader of the secondary?

Jamal Lewis:  It was great.  D.J. Jones and I were just trying to follow in the footsteps of Dawan Landry and James Butler.  We wanted to hold down the tradition.   But also mold the game into our own and make plays

Alex Khvatov:  Who are the toughest players that you have faced during your career?

Jamal Lewis:  Edgerrin James’ little cousin and Peerman from Virginia.  James is a hard runner.  You had to bring the big hit to bring him down to the ground.  He is a great younger RB.  C.J. Spiller and James Davis will be hard to contain next year.

Alex Khvatov:  Which underclassmen on your team should we keep an eye on in the future?

Jamal Lewis:  Freshman Morgan Burnett is a corner/safety.  He is a great guy that will be gone in three years.  He learned the defense so quickly.  He plays fast and makes plays.  You can put stars around his name.  We also have LB Anthony Barnes.  He is a redshirt freshman who is a beast.  He is a man-child on the field.  The whole secondary coming back is pretty good for Georgia Tech.  On the offensive side, RB Jonathan Dwyer is a man-child.  He will truck over you.   Redshirt freshman Roddy Jones is another great RB.  Demaryius Thomas is a receiver that will break out next year. 

Alex Khvatov:  Do you think Chan Gailey got a raw deal?

Jamal Lewis:  Coach Gailey was a great coach and a great guy.  He was a great motivator.  But it is the life of a college football coach.  He got a better job in the NFL.  I am happy that he has another job.

Alex Khvatov:  What do you enjoy most about playing football?

Jamal Lewis:  Just the excitement of the crowd and stopping the opponent from getting the first down.  I am just having fun out there playing football.

Alex Khvatov:  What are you going to have to do to make an NFL roster?

Jamal Lewis:  I think that the coaches look for players that separate themselves from other guys.  A guy that wants to learn, listen and work harder than everyone else.  The guys that are coming from the later rounds will always have a lot of hunger.  I was a two or a three star coming out of high school.  I was always overlooked.  I had a chip on my shoulder.  I am all about competing.

Alex Khvatov:  What are your hobbies?

Jamal Lewis:  I love going bowling.  I really like to go fishing with my uncle.  I haven’t done it much lately, but it is a relaxing feeling.  I like to go and chill with my family.

Alex Khvatov:  Finish the sentence, Jamal Lewis is…..

Jamal Lewis:  A hard-worker, dedicated, coachable, reliable and willing to learn.  I am the best player that I can be.  I will bend over backwards for my family and friends.  I am a very loyal person.  I like getting to know people and networking.