Jordan HammArizona State added a big addition in the special teams department in former Saguaro Sabercat All-American placekicker Parker Lewis, who previously played for USC and Ohio State.
Lewis will look to fill the spot of Dario Longhetto, who’s eligibility has been exhausted this past season. Lewis said he has two years of eligibility remaining.
“There were so many reasons why,” Lewis said when asked about choosing ASU. “Obviously coming back home was a big reason. I’ve been in L.A. for two years. I’ve been in Ohio for two years. Coming home was a huge, huge thing for me…. I’m really excited for what (ASU is) building there.”
Lewis said working with special teams coordinator Charlie Ragle was a big reason to go to ASU as well. One of Lewis’ first visits out of high school was to Cal, where Ragle was coaching at the time.
“He’s as real as it gets,” Lewis said of Ragle. “He’s been a head coach. He’s been in so many different locker rooms, coaches so many different positions but his bread and butter has been as a special teams coordinator. He understands the game so well.”
The kicker nailed 26/35 field goals in two years at USC. In 15 games as the Trojans’ placekicker, he hit at least three field goals in a game five times.
In his time at Ohio State, he had two kick offs before entering the transfer portal this offseason.
He feels he’s coming back to Arizona stronger and more mature since leaving for college.
”I’ve changed a whole lot physically. I’ve gotten more mature,” Lewis said. “That was one amazing thing about Ohio State. You’re not going to find a team that’s more disciplined and bought in to that culture…I’m looking forward to bringing that leadership to Tempe where I want to have the best (special teams) room in the country.”
While at Saguaro, he played under now Sun Devil tight ends coach Jason Mohns. Getting to reunite with his old coach is truly special for Lewis.
@saguarofootball would like to congratulate Class of ‘20 1st Team MaxPreps All-American kicker @ParkerLewi for his addition to the Saguaro Football All-American Wall! Parker joins an elite fraternity of #SagU football players who received All-American honors their senior year 🙌 pic.twitter.com/4wU0XtX0zW
— Jason Mohns 🔱 🏈 (@CoachMohns) May 18, 2020
“I can’t put words to mind when I think of Coach Mohns because of how awesome he was,” Lewis said. “It means the world to me to end my (college) football career with the guy who kick-started it.”
Over the course of two years with the Sabercats, Lewis hit 162/169 extra points and and 8/10 field goals with a long of 52 yards. In 207 kickoffs, he caused a touchback 171 times according to MaxPreps.
His senior year, he was named the Luis Zendejas Kicker of the Year by the National Football Foundation Valley of the Sun Chapter.
Honored to be named 2019 Luis Zendejas kicker of the year pic.twitter.com/RhiIuwQBuN
— Parker Lewis (@ParkerLewi) December 15, 2019
Lewis also averaged 50.6 yards per punt while with Saguaro.
Arizona State’s special teams unit has had major changes this offseason. In addition to Longhetto, punter Josh Carlson and long snapper Slater Zellers have exhausted their eligibility.
Along with Parker Lewis, former NAU & Mountain Ridge long snapper Tyler Wiggleswoth announced his transfer to ASU last semester. Punter Kanyon Floyd out of Horizon High School also signed with the Sun Devils on early signing day.
