On The Plains with Percy Lewis IV: ‘I feel like I’m at home’

AUBURN, Ala. – Perhaps the biggest man on the Tiger roster, senior offensive lineman Percy Lewis IV has quickly made Auburn a big part of his life since transferring here at the beginning of the spring semester.

“My experience here has been really good,” Lewis said. “Every day, we come together, we work out together, everything we do is together, so it really feels like a big old family here.”

A graduate transfer from Mississippi State who played in 25 games making eight starts over the past two seasons, Lewis – who started his collegiate career at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College – had some specifics in mind when he was searching for the spot to conclude his college playing days. Auburn fit the bill.

“Basically, I didn’t want to leave the SEC,” he explained. “I wanted to stay in the hardest conference and stay somewhat close to home. If something was to happen, I wouldn’t have to get on a plane to get there. Of course, I wanted to improve my football skills. I’m just here to handle my business and improve.”

After arriving at Auburn in January, Lewis made strides in that department this spring, working predominantly at left tackle.

“I’ve really been working hard getting better at my run blocking,” Lewis said as he heads into the final weeks of the summer. “I was struggling with my footwork, so I’ve worked and studied what the coaches tell me, and I’ve gotten better at it now. It’s getting to be about that time, so I’ve got to be ready to go and buckle down.”

Another area where Lewis has proven he can buckle down is in the classroom. The SEC Academic Honor Roll student earned his bachelor’s degree in business from Mississippi State in December, a hard-won achievement. 

“I’ve been in school a long time – I had a good spring semester here – and it was a good, good feeling to get my bachelor’s degree in business,” Lewis said, explaining the reason he pursued that major. 

“One day, I want to have my own trucking company. I’ve been around trucks all my life; I like being around them because my dad drove trucks. At one point, I wasn’t old enough to go with him on trips, but once I was old enough, I would go with him every chance I got. The more I went out, the more I started loving everything about trucking. One day, I want to have my own trucking company so I can sit back and watch my money make money doing something I enjoy. Hopefully some time in the NFL will start that rolling.”

Lewis knows that a professional football career is not promised to anyone, but he will be appreciative of any opportunity he gets. 

“At first, I had my mind set that I wanted to do 10 years in the NFL, but truly, I want to do as many years as the Good Lord lets me play,” Lewis said. “So, if he blesses me with five, if he blesses me with 10 or he blesses me with more, I’m going to do it. I love football.”

At 6-foot-7, 355 pounds, Lewis seems built for the gridiron sport he loves. “I’ve been playing football ever since I was in the fourth grade, and you might say I was always the biggest kid on the team. I just like wrapping people. If somebody made me mad, instead of getting in trouble or trying to react, I would just go out there and take it out on the field – something I knew I wouldn’t get in trouble for.”

Growing up near Sallis, Mississippi, Lewis is proud of his rural roots. 

“I’m a country boy,” he said with a smile. “I grew up with my granddad (Percy II), my dad and my uncle racing horses – pacers, the ones on the buggies. My granddad trains them, breaks them, puts the horseshoes on them, all of it – but I haven’t ridden a horse or behind a horse for a long time. I’ve gotten too big! But I’ve been an outside country boy all my life.”

 

Lewis played basketball and also won a state title in shot put at McAdams High in Sallis, but he loves football the most, especially for how it has built his character and work ethic. 

“Football teaches you many things, especially when it’s difficult,” he said. “You learn how to tackle challenges and obstacles. If it was an easy sport, everybody would do it – there would be less people in the stands and more people on the field.

“It’s a very competitive job; you’ve got to go out there and put that work in. And I get very involved. If I go to a game, I can’t just sit there and watch – I’ll be acting like I’m in the game.”

When the games start for real for the Tigers this fall, commencing August 31 vs. Alabama A&M for Kickoff on the Plains at Jordan-Hare Stadium, Lewis is expecting nothing but the best of results. 

“I’m looking forward to us having a winning season and going all the way,” he predicted. “This is the time to put Auburn back on the map.” 

And whatever success the Tigers achieve, Lewis is glad to be part of it with his Auburn Family. 

“I don’t go out too much, but if I do, we’ll go out as a team,” he said. “We’ll go out to eat and people will say hi and want to take pictures and stuff like that. I feel like I’m home here. 

“Every time I go somewhere at Auburn, I feel like I’m at home.”