March 28, 2006
NEW YORK - Former San Diego State football letterwinner Derrick Lewis was named the Arena Football League's Mid-Season Rookie of the Year by the Arena Football League Writers Association (AFLWA). Lewis, an offensive specialist, has guided the Austin Wranglers to a 6-2 first-half record.
Through the first half of the season Lewis leads the Wranglers in receiving yards (707) and catches (60), and was second on the team in touchdown receptions (8).
The Austin Wranglers were named the mid-season's most surprising team by the AFLWA after having a 6-10 record last season.
Lewis, an Aztec from 1999-2001, had his best season as a junior. During that year, Lewis started all 11 games for the scarlet and black catching 31 passes for 782 yards and three touchdowns. His 25.2 yards per catch that season ranked him in the top 100 nationally. For his career, he caught 85 passes for 1,731 yards and seven touchdowns.
The New Orleans Saints signed Lewis as an undrafted rookie free agent in 2002. He spent time on the practice squad and was signed to the active roster later that season. He continued to play for the Saints in 2003 seeing limited action.
Following his stint in the NFL, he played for the Frankfurt Galaxy of NFL Europe in 2004 where he caught 35 passes for 537 yards and five touchdowns.
A native of New Orleans, he earned three letters during his time at SDSU.