Rueben Lewis trusted Kansas new OL coach A.J. Ricker

When Kansas offensive line coach A.J. Ricker started recruiting Reuben Lewis he already had a head start on the versatile lineman.

The offensive line coach at Coffeyville is Cody Oates, who was a grad assistant on staff at Missouri when he worked under Ricker.

That was a big help to start off the recruiting for Lewis.

“I trust coach Oates and he trusts coach Ricker,” Lewis said. “So I trusted coach Ricker from the beginning. They were both close.”

The early relationship helped Ricker build a foundation with Lewis and assisted with getting him in Lawrence for an official visit. Lewis took his official to Kansas last Wednesday through Friday morning.

“I liked everything from how they do the classes and how everything looked,” Lewis said. “I was so excited once I stepped on campus.”

Lewis had scholarship offers from Kansas, East Carolina and West Virginia. After his visit to Kansas he flew to East Carolina. On Monday afternoon he announced he committed to the Jayhawks.

“I feel really good about KU,” he said. “I believe I can come in and play and do my job. That’s really all I want to do. I already understand Kansas since I went to Coffeyville so I thought it was a good fit.”

Lewis, at 6-foot-4, 330 pounds, can be an asset to the Jayhawks offensive line because he projects to different positions.

“Coach Ricker said he likes that I’m tough,” Lewis said. “When I’m playing I don’t care what happens and I’m going to get the job done. My films speaks for itself. He took a shot on me and trusted in my abilities. I’m the type that fits in anywhere. I can play center along with guard and tackle.”

Lewis, rated a three-star prospect, plans to sign with Kansas on Wednesday. He is Jayhawks first junior college commitment on the offensive line. The first three linemen to commit to Kansas were high school players.