Lewis brothers Rayshad and Rahsaan, sons of Pro Football Hall of Fame LB Ray, announce transfers to UK
LEXINGTON, Ky. (BVM) — The University of Kentucky Wildcats received a double dose of good news when brothers Rayshad and Rahsaan Lewis announced their transfers to the university in social media posts on Aug. 5. The two brothers will also bring with them another big name, though not on the field. The pair are the sons of NFL Hall of Fame linebacker Ray Lewis, one of the most dominant players of the past century. With the commitments, Wildcats fans can only hope for even a bit of the family football skills to be on display next season.
https://twitter.com/ThatOtherLewis/status/1291110788942487557
Rayshad, the older of the two boys, will be a graduate transfer to the university after playing wide receiver for the University of Maryland for the past two seasons. During his time with the Terrapins, Rayshad appeared in 22 games, mostly as a special teams player and reserve wide out where he recorded three catches for 13 yards and 19 total tackles over the two seasons. Originally committing to Utah State University as a freshman, Rayshad played in all 12 games, including seven starts for the Aggies where he ranked second on the team in receptions (40), receiving yards (476) and receiving touchdowns (2) while also adding 110 yards and one touchdown on the ground on 10 carries.
In high school, Rayshad was named Florida Class 5A first team all-state cornerback as a senior at Bishop Moore High School in Orlando, Fla. after recording seven interceptions. Rayshad would also help led Bishop Moore to a 14-1 record and the Class 5A state championship following a postseason that saw him play wide receiver for the first time where he recorded seven touchdown receptions in five games. His performances earned Rayshad a two-star ranking by 247 sports.
https://twitter.com/ThatOtherLewis/status/1061086711231508480
Rahsaan, the younger of the two brothers, played wide receiver last season for Florida Atlantic University where he was redshirted after dressing for four games. Rahsaan attended University of Central Florida his freshman season where he appeared in seven games as a defensive back and made four tackles.
All Glory to God💍🙏🏽 #champs #10hana #knightnation #family pic.twitter.com/5RxqysB9BQ
— Saan🎒 (@RahsaanL) December 2, 2018
In high school, Rahsaan played just one season of football for Windermere Prep where he helped lead the team to the Sunshine State Championship game as a senior. During his lone prep season, Rahsann rushed for 359 yards and six touchdowns while also catching passes for 306 yards and three scores. On defense, Rahsaan recorded 83 tackles including three sacks while also adding an interception and two fumble recoveries including returning one for a touchdown. Rahsaan was an unranked recruit and walked onto the UCF team in fall 2018.
God’s Plan🙏🏾💫🔮 @BBN_Nation @UKFootball pic.twitter.com/8gKVsQLaZo
— Saan🎒 (@RahsaanL) August 6, 2020
While Wildcats fans will hope to see some of the Lewis family lineage take the field for Kentucky this fall, the two boys would have big shoes to fill to try to match the level of their father. Ray, a middle linebacker for the Baltimore Ravens for 17 seasons, was a 13-time Pro Bowler, 10-time All-Pro, two-time Defensive Player of the Year, a two-time Super Bowl Champion, a member of the NFL 2000s All-Decade Team, a Super Bowl MVP and a member of the NFL100 All-time team roster. Ray was also a two-time All-American at the University of Miami before being selected by the Ravens in the first round of the 1996 NFL Draft.
Although the name may be the same as their father’s on the back of the jersey, these two brothers will play much differently than their dad did. As receivers, the brothers will look to add explosive plays to the Kentucky offense, running counter to Ray’s penchant for hard-hitting defensive battles. While Kentucky fans may be wishing for reminiscent flashes of the elder Lewis’ greatness, the Wildcats faithful should quell expectations until the two take the field this fall. With any luck, the two brothers will be able to prove that their father’s football genetics run in the family.
