Eric SorensonLike most football-playing kids growing up, Brian Lewerke one day dreamed of playing in the NFL.
While the former Pinnacle High School star and Michigan State three-year starting quarterback certainly still has an opportunity of fulfilling said dream, Lewerke’s path to an NFL roster this fall will likely have to take a less conventional path. The COVID-19 pandemic has completely altered the pre-draft process leading up to the April 23-25 selections which, as of now, are still scheduled to take place.
“I think I did a good showing at the [NFL] Combine throwing the ball and showing some stuff,” Lewerke said in a recent Skype interview with Sports360AZ.com’s Brad Cesmat. “But, obviously I’m not one of those high-end guys who are going to be drafted in the top three rounds. It would definitely be beneficial to have teams come to me during [Michigan State’s] pro day and just watch film with them and then even be able to go to their facility and learn what they’re all about, too.”
Obviously, neither of those are an option and won’t be before the draft so Lewerke’s pre-draft resume, for better or worse, is complete.
“First MSU QB with 8,000 pass yards and 1,000 rush yards in his career.” @brianlewerke14 ? pic.twitter.com/gvQNGVdNIH
— Michigan State Football (@MSU_Football) February 28, 2020
“So basically, what I got is what I got,” Lewerke, who is still in Michigan, said. “I have three years of film, I’ve got the Combine to show. So hopefully teams will be able to evaluate me on a good basis based off that.”
Like he’s done in the past, whether dealing with injuries or a decline in production over his final two seasons at MSU, Lewerke is taking it all in stride with a positive attitude moving forward. He held all of his pre-Combine workouts in Colorado.
“Football players are judged by how they’re able to adjust in games,” he explained. “I think it kind of applies to life, too.”
Take a bow @brianlewerke14. Thank you for an amazing career at Michigan State University.
2019 @PinstripeBowl MVP. pic.twitter.com/TjYh687NAd
— Michigan State Football (@MSU_Football) December 28, 2019
Lewerke finished his Spartan career first in total offense (9,548 total yards) and third in both starts (38) and wins (22) for an MSU quarterback. His 47 passing touchdowns ranks fourth in school history.
Most project the 6-foot-3, 216-pounder as a late-round pick or priority free agent.
