CHICAGO — Tearing one ACL is tough but tearing three can hinder an athlete both physically and mentally in just about any sport.

Now in his sixth year as an Illini, senior offensive lineman Corey Lewis is no stranger to adversity as he played a total of four games in the last three seasons all with the same injury. Even that was not enough to stop the 6-foot-6, 310 pound player for giving up a game that he loves.

“My drive is my teammates and football.  I love it so much that I couldn’t see myself just giving it up to injury,” he said.

Lewis also said that his motivation was his family back in his hometown of a small town in Cresco, Pennsylvania. He felt that it was his duty to come back and not let the people who supported him for so long down.

Head coach Tim Beckman sees improvement from Lewis in practice since returning from the devastating injury.

“His mindset each and every practice to each and every game has gotten better, better and better,” Beckman said.

Just a few months ago Lewis was named the Bresee Most Improved Offensive Player during the spring game on April 12th. Not only has Lewis improved on the field, but he feels he is starting to emerge as a true senior leader for the Illini’s 33 new players.

“When the guys came in the summer, I always made sure that we had a meeting, tell them our goals that we set as a team, just so they all can buy in, and they’re not just running around like a chicken with their head cut off,” Lewis said. “You never want anyone to feel left out, especially the younger guys because the better they can adapt, the better they can perform for us.”

Lewis has set big goals for himself going into his final year wearing orange and blue; he said he wants to be named All-Big Ten and become more of a leader on the offensive line.

Perhaps coming back from those ACL surgeries may be worth a shot giving him another chance to someday play in the NFL, and winning the most improved offensive player award is a start. 

Torrence can be reached at [email protected].