Salem’s Lewis chooses Tennessee

Spartans All-State running back headed to the SEC

ROANOKE, Va. – He’s fielded nearly two dozen Division I football offers over the past year and on Saturday, Salem’s Peyton Lewis settled on one.

The four-star running back announced via social media his commitment to the University of Tennessee.

Tuesday, he told us all about his decision.

“You know I’ve taken it at my own pace and narrowed down the schools and made a decision to go to Tennessee and it’s been great. Something my mom brought up that I hadn’t thought of was ‘You can go back to being a kid again.’ For a while, it was just football, recruitment, school and that was it. Now I can focus on being a kid because now I have a place in mind where I already have to go,” Lewis explained.

Among the power five schools that offered Lewis were the likes of Virginia Tech, Alabama, South Carolina and Florida just to name a few. While the rising senior is a bruising running back and linebacker, Lewis also garnered attention thanks to being a talented track star, having earned multiple VHSL State Championships individually and with the Salem Spartans team. Lewis is a 2-time 55 meter sprint champion and a Class 4 All State running back and kick returner.

Peyton Lewis competing in the 2022 VHSL Outdoor Track State Championships (WSLS)

Lewis is part of the Salem 4x100 team that was ranked first in the nation earlier this season. You can hear more about Lewis later this week on “Around the Way with EJ.”


About the Authors:

Eric is no stranger to the Roanoke Valley. He is a Roanoke native and proud graduate of William Fleming High School.

John serves as the Sports Director at WSLS 10. From Virginia Tech, to NASCAR and everything in between, WSLS 10 Sports covers the names making big plays in the NBA, NFL, NHL and MLB.