Southern Arkansas University Athletics

Nik Lewis played three seasons for the Southern Arkansas football team from 2001-03. In his time on the gridiron, Lewis became one of the best wide receivers to ever don a Mulerider uniform as he laid claim to career receiving records for touchdowns (36), yards (2,852), and receptions (162). Additionally, Lewis established season program records for receiving yards (1,239 | 2002), and touchdowns (14 | 2002 & 2003). Both of his season marks remain program receiving standards, while his career record for receptions was just recently surpassed.
 
In each of his last two seasons, Lewis would surpass the 1,000-yard mark; making him the only player to ever have 1,000 or more receiving yards in a season in program history. While that is impressive enough on its own, Lewis’ receiving achievement is heighted by the fact that SAU’s primary offense at the time was the run-heavy triple option.
 
Lewis’ junior season of 2002 was his breakout campaign and the first of his consecutive 1,000-yard seasons. That year, he caught 65 passes for 1,239 yards and 14 touchdowns; both season records. Lewis would go on to earn All-GSC First-Team honors as well as first-team plaudits on the regional and All-America levels.
 
The following season, Lewis was once more a receiving threat repeating his post-season accolades, but added a whole other dimension to his game as he emerged as a standout punt returner as well. After totaling 179 yards on punt returns the year prior, Lewis accounted for a program record 450 punt return yards as a senior and was lauded as an all-conference and All-America punt returner as well.
 
Lewis’ sensational senior campaign helped the Muleriders to a 9-2 regular season record and a trip to the NCAA Division II playoffs for the second time in program history. The Muleriders would come up short in their opening round game against No.2-ranked North Alabama. That playoff berth in 2003 was the last time that the Mulerider football team has advanced to the NCAA playoffs.
 
After concluding his career as a Mulerider, Lewis embarked on what became a 14-year professional career in the Canadian Football League (CFL). Retiring after the 2017 season as the CFL’s All-Time leader in receptions with 1,051, Lewis began his career in 2004 with the Calgary Stampeders. That year, he burst on the scene and earned CFL Rookie of the Year honors as he had 1,045 yards receiving on 73 receptions. That became the first of nine-consecutive 1,000-yard receiving seasons to begin his CFL career.
 
A five-time CFL All-Star, Lewis would help the Stampeders win a pair of Grey Cup Championships (CFL equivalent of the Super Bowl) in 2008 and 2014. Following an 11-year run with the Stampeders, Lewis played his final three CFL seasons with the Montreal Alouettes.