By LEE BRECHEEN, Louisiana Football Magazine/TV
A big-time sleeper prospect who should find his way on more college recruiting lists soon is wide receiver Jalen Lewis from Haughton High School. This kid consistently finds a way to make plays in the open field. He does everything well.
There’s no doubt the coaches at Haughton, led by head coach Jason Brotherton, are happy to have him and believe more colleges should take notice.
“Jalen is a dynamic playmaker with the ball in his hands. He has worked to become a good route runner, but his biggest strength is his ability to make the play on 50-50 balls,” said Brotherton. “He is also a great kick returner and could be a good quarterback if we needed him to play there.”
Lewis (5-10, 170) is living the dream, lining up in the Red and White of Haughton. He started playing football when he was six, and went straight into tackle football at an early age.
“Growing up, I looked up to anyone who played football for Haughton on Friday night,” Lewis said. “I knew I wanted someday to be a part of the program and be in the same position as some of the kids I watched back then.”
When he looked to college and pro ball, he cheered for the state’s biggest teams but now, his appreciation has focused on college ball and a national power.
“I grew up watching LSU and the New Orleans Saints. But as I grew older, on the college level I liked Ohio State,” he said. “They just took my eye and have been my favorite team for a little while now. I don’t
really watch or pay much attention to the NFL any more.”
Lewis has made a few college visits this summer, going to Centenary, Louisiana Christian, Southern Arkansas, Stephen F. Austin and Louisiana Tech for camps.
“I loved all the camps. I currently hold offers from Louisiana Christian, Centenary and John Melvin University (a new college in Crowley),” he said.
At the outset of his senior year, Lewis appreciates the way he’s mentored in the Bucs’ program.
“My position coach, Michael Marston, is one of the chilliest coaches I’ve played behind. He likes to play and laugh when it’s not business time, and he also isn’t one of the coaches you see yell a lot until it’s coming down to you not giving 100 percent.”
Lewis believes playing the local schedule and in District 1-5A provide him and his teammates all the challenges they need to prove themselves. The 318 AC holds its own around Louisiana, he said.
“The talent level in the Shreveport-Bossier area is one of the best. There is definitely a ton of people overlooked here that don’t get the recognition they deserve.
“Comparing the north and south players I feel we are just as good as them even though they get the most recognition. Each team in this area has a bunch of talent on the roster,” said Lewis.
Lee Brecheen has operated Louisiana Football Magazine for over 30 years and is one of the state’s foremost experts on high school football and especially recruiting. Based in Baton Rouge, Lee travels statewide to watch practices and games and has broken down film and tape since the late 1980s. He has converted the printed product to an online website (Lafootballmagazine.com) that will preview every high school and college football program in the state before kickoff this fall. Lee also hosts a football-centric TV show on YouTube, The Sports Scouting Report, on weekdays.
Contact Lee at lbrecheen@aol.com
