Syracuse, N.Y. -- One day after the NCAA transfer portal opened to players, Syracuse football coach Fran Brown used it to add veteran depth to the Orange’s defensive backfield.
Notre Dame transfer Clarence Lewis announced on Tuesday that he had committed to Syracuse. Lewis was a four-year contributor at defensive back for the Fighting Irish, although his numbers dipped in his senior season, when he recorded just nine tackles.
He made at least 29 tackles in his previous three seasons, including a career-high of 53 as a sophomore in 2021. He’s also recorded an interception in each of the past three years. He has one season of eligibility remaining because his freshman season was played during the coronavirus pandemic.
Lewis announced his intention to transfer to Syracuse on X (previously Twitter). He announced his intention to transfer from Notre Dame earlier this month.
After Lewis decided to leave the Fighting Irish, his teammates praised his work ethic to the South Bend Tribune and said they considered his departure a loss.
According to Pro Football Focus he played over 1,600 snaps over four years for Notre Dame. PFF gave him the fourth-best grade on the Notre Dame defense just two years ago. He was ranked 23rd on the Notre Dame last year by PFF, whose numbers indicated he struggled as a tackler.
Listed at 5-foot-11 and 196 pounds, Lewis played high school football at Mater Dei Prep in Monmouth, New Jersey, where he was a three-star recruit and ranked as the No. 728 recruit in the country by 247 Sports.
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