Top defensive end revealed as 'mystery' player

The mystery is no more, as IU coach Terry Hoeppner announced Saturday that defensive end Matt Lewis was recruit No. 24 and the final member of Hoeppner's first recruiting class at IU.\nWhen Hoeppner said on National Signing Day that Lewis, the "mystery recruit," would be the Hoosiers' top recruit on paper, he didn't exaggerate. On the Web site www.espn.com, Tom Lemming rated Lewis as the 25th-ranked defensive end in the nation, and www.rivals.com had Lewis rated even higher at No. 18 in the country.\nDespite not making an official visit to Bloomington -- which he plans to do next week -- IU just felt right, Lewis said.\n"It feels good (to have signed with IU); I felt like I had great chemistry with the coaches since I talked to them," Lewis said. "It feels real good to be called the 'icing on the cake.' I feel like it's a great honor."\nLewis, a Daytona Beach, Fla., native, dominated throughout his career at Mainland High School. In three years starring for the Buccaneers, Lewis had 61 sacks. In his most recent season, Lewis had 100 tackles and 13 sacks, which led to the award of second-team Florida 5A All-State honors. In 2003, Lewis help lead Mainland to a state championship.\nGetting a player with the type of credentials as Lewis will prove to be big for the future of IU football, Hoeppner said. \n"What a huge addition (Lewis is) to our program," Hoeppner said. "Matt's a big, strong athlete who was just dominate in high school. His motor is always going, so when you combine his physical attributes with his energetic approach, he'll be a great fit in our defense."\nDespite playing fullback, defensive end and defensive tackle, Lewis is expected to play linebacker at IU, his natural position, Lewis said.\nLewis will come in as one of the most recruited players in this class, as there numerous schools in pursuit of Lewis' services. Schools include: the University of North Carolina, University of Kentucky, Michigan State, Middle Tennessee State University, Purdue, Clemson University and the University of Florida. Before the start of his junior season, Lewis received a full scholarship offer from Michigan.\nLewis actually was set on going to Florida after taking an official visit, but new Gators coach Urban Meyer was filled at Lewis' position , said John Maronto, Mainland High School football coach.\n"He is definitely the type of guy that can turn a program around," Maronto said. "He is a combination of power and quickness; he is the whole deal."\nEven though he was shut out of playing for the Gators, Lewis got help from Maronto.\nBefore coming to Mainland, Maronto was a coach in Massillon, Ohio, sending a few players Hoeppner's way while he was coach at Miami University of Ohio.\n"This is one of the great things about the coaching profession," Maronto said. "That I had enough respect to call (Hoeppner) and tell him about a recruit at the last minute and he had enough trust to offer without him visiting."\nLewis announced his decision to attend IU at his church Saturday evening. \n"Everybody was elated and wished the best for me and they gave me a really good feedback," he said.\nBeing able to recruit the state of Florida will be a factor in returning IU back to postseason play, said Kevin Noon, Big Ten Editor for www.rivals.com.\n"Going in and getting a great player out of Florida is big, if you can't recruit Florida you are going to have trouble," Noon said.\nNoon noted that the Hoosiers did a good job in not signing players below a Big Ten talent level, as well as at the running back position.\n"I thought (Hoeppner) did a good job to keep as many people as he could. Not only do you have to recruit new players and have to recruit players that have already committed before," Noon said. "This first class will be the cornerstone of the plan to bring IU football back to prominence."\nEven though he likes to have fun off the field, when he hits the field he knows what time it is, Lewis said.\n"I am a loving guy and I like to have fun," Lewis said. "But when I am on the field I am one of the most hyped guys to have ever played the game."\n-- Contact Staff Writer Dan Click at daaclick@indiana.edu.