Damione Lewis Hometown: Sulphur Springs, Texas High School: Sulphur Springs Height / Weight: 6-3 / 295 Position: Defensive Tackle

One of Miami's true warriors and a player whose character and tenacity defined the team . . . One of the nation's finest defensive linemen in 2000, as indicated by his status as an Outland Award Watch List candidate . . . A defensive leader who combines upper body strength with a sound ability to shed blocks . . . Started 42 of his 44 games at Miami . . . Possesses a tremendous sense of where the ball is at all times . . . Always plays at a high intensity level . . . One of UM's fiercest competitors.

2000 (SENIOR): A unanimous selection as first-team All-BIG EAST . . . Named a third-team All-American by The Sporting News . . . Led all Miami down linemen in tackles with 41 (19 solos) and was tied for second on the team in quarterback sacks with three (21 yards) . . . Had seven tackles for losses totaling 28 yards this season . . . Forced two fumbles and broke up three passes. . . Was named the winner of Miami's Defensive Lineman of the Year Award as voted on by the coaching staff . . . Played much of the season with a broken pinky toe on his right foot, an injury he suffered during the Washington game but wasn't diagnosed until almost three weeks later . . . Missed games at Rutgers and at Temple, but returned with a vengeance following each game . . . Removed a cast from his right foot to start and play much of Miami's 27-24 win over top-ranked Florida State . . . Garnered five tackles and a pass broken up against the Seminoles . . . After sitting out much of the next three weeks after FSU, he returned to action vs. Louisiana Tech and notched five tackles and a quarterback sack . . . Had five tackles, three quarterback hurries and forced a fumble in Miami's 41-21 rout of No.2-ranked Virginia Tech . . . Despite being double-teamed much of the season, he accumulated at least five tackles in five of his nine games played.

1999 (JUNIOR): All-BIG EAST second team selection...had 57 tackles and a team-high 6.5 sacks...posted a defensive line high 12 tackles for loss for a team-best 46 yards...his 6.5 sacks accumulated a team-best 37 yards in loss...second on the team with 26 quarterback hurries...forced two fumbles, while recovering one...opened the season with a five-tackle, two-sack performance against Ohio State in the Kickoff Classic...also totaled two tackles for loss and one forced fumble against the Buckeyes...had three solo tackles against Florida A&M, including two tackles for loss and one sack...had a season-best eight tackles against Penn State, including three tackles for loss and one sack...had a tackle for loss at East Carolina...contributed six tackles at Florida State, including an eight-yard sack...had six tackles (4 solo) against West Virginia...tied his season-best with eight tackles at Pittsburgh, including four solo stops...also contributed two tackles for loss, one forced fumble, one fumble recovered and 1.5 sacks against the Panthers... totaled five tackles at Virginia Tech.

1998 (SOPHOMORE): Started every game at right defensive tackle... led all defensive linemen with 52 tackles...eight quarterback hurries was third highest on the team...registered three tackles for loss, including two sacks...had a season-high nine tackles against Virginia Tech... also had a sack and a pass break-up in the contest...recorded second sack of season at West Virginia...had a pair of six-tackle games against Cincinnati and Pittsburgh.

1997 (FRESHMAN): Started nine games as a redshirt freshman, while appearing in all 11 games...was a fixture at right tackle making eight starts...started the Rutgers game at right end...led all defensive linemen with 72 total tackles (29 solo)...tackle total was fourth highest on the team...had a team-high five tackles for loss...also tied for team lead with four sacks...finished third on the team with 15 quarterback hurries...tallied six tackles (three solo) in his career debut at Baylor... registered a career-best 11 tackles, two tackles for loss and one sack against Arizona State...also picked up a career-high five solo tackles against the Sun Devils...totaled six tackles (three solo) and one sack for eight yards at Pittsburgh...tallied seven tackles (three solo) and one sack for six yards against Temple...collected four tackles and registered one sack against Arkansas State...recorded six tackles vs. Rutgers in first career start at right end...made eight tackles against Syracuse in season finale.

1996 (REDSHIRT): Was a member of the Hurricane scout team.

HIGH SCHOOL: Sulphur Springs...earned Texas Defensive Player of the Year honors...top rated defensive lineman in the country by SuperPrep...BlueChip Illustrated All-American and Dream Team member...rated third best prospect in the country at position by BlueChip...named to the Fourth Annual Schutt Sports Group High School All-America Team...two-year first-team All-State selection...team leader in tackles two straight seasons...tallied 167 tackles, including 100 solo stops as a senior...also racked up eight sacks, five fumble recoveries and one interception...registered a pair of safeties, including one to help team advance in state tournament...three-year starter along the defensive line...team advanced to quarterfinals of state tournament three successive seasons, finishing each year with 12-2 records...selected to play in Oil Bowl featuring all-stars from Texas and Oklahoma...averaged 14 points and 11 rebounds as member of basketball team...was also a shot putter on track team with a personal best of 55' 3"...played football for coach Chuck King.

PERSONAL: Born 3/1/78...liberal arts major...full name is Damione Ramon Lewis...related to hurdler McClinton Neal who won a gold medal in the 400-meter hurdles at the 1992 Olympics and ran in the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games...son of Bobby and Clarine Lewis.

Damione Lewis's 2000 Game-by-Game Statistics

LEWIS' CAREER STATISTICS