Utah CB Tareke Lewis Talks Adjustments From JUCO To ‘Best In The Nation’ Secondary

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Utah cornerback Tareke Lewis is ready to have an impact on the Utes talented secondary in his second season after joining the program as a junior college transfer.

He is from Palatka, Florida as a transfer from Riverside Community College.

Utah moved Julian Blackmon from cornerback to safety this year due to the depth at the cornerback position, some of that reason is because of the trust the coaching staff has in him.

“It’s keeping me motivated,” Lewis stated. “My spot is not mine completely, so I still have to work for it. I am just trying to get better everyday, become more of a technician and help the younger guys get along, so we can have more depth.”

He talked to the Crimson Corner podcast about the adjustment to Utah after junior college.

Lewis had some adjustments to make when he first arrived in Salt Lake City.

“I had to get acclimated to the elevation,” Lewis said. “I would say that was the worst part of it. But, as far as the competition, it was kind of the same, just quicker and faster receivers. I think I adjusted well.”

He is projected to start at right corner, the opposite side of All-Pac-12 defensive back Jaylon Johnson, who Lewis has really enjoyed playing with.

“It’s amazing working beside him,” he said. “He motivates me and I motivate him, we work together all the time. We are family on and off the field. It’s a good asset to have him on the other side of the field.”

To add more depth to the cornerback position is the speed and athletic ability of Javelin Guidry as the nickleback, who is a very fast player.

“Fastest in the country,” Lewis said about Guidry.

Mix those three players with the safety duo of Blackmon and Terrell Burgess, Lewis is confident in the talent with Utah’s secondary.

“Best in the nation, I believe that,” Lewis stated.

Putting that secondary on the practice field in fall camp against Utah’s offense is only going to benefit quarterback Tyler Huntley.

“I don’t think he is going to go against a secondary like us during the whole season, that will for sure help him out,” said Lewis.

Utah’s cornerback coach Sharrieff Shah was the main reason why Lewis chose the Utes when being recruited in junior college.

“Coach (Sharrieff) Shah and how he is family-oriented,” Lewis said. “It’s not just about football, but it’s a brotherhood, so that really caught my eye and made me come here.”

Check out the Crimson Corner podcast for the latest news and notes from fall camp with the University of Utah. Find the podcast at KSLSports.com or wherever you get your podcasts.