Just when you thought the Texas State 2016 roster was set, the Bobcats go get another big time addition for the fall.

Hightower outside linebacker Clifton Lewis signed his Letter of Intent with Texas State today, officially making him a Bobcat. At 6’1, 200-lbs, Lewis is a 3-star player on all the big recruiting sites and had double digit offers from schools in the Big 12 and the SEC.

An admiration of Texas State’s campus and a close relationship with the Texas State coaches went a long way in him choosing the Bobcats. Associate head coach and linebackers coach John Wiley was his primary recruiter.

“The new coaching staff, they really wanted me. They were really recruiting me,” said Lewis. “ They are a great group of guys, real respectful. That’s the kind of coaches I like.”

Baylor, TCU, Missouri, Oklahoma State, Washington, Kansas, Kansas State, SMU, Houston, New Mexico and Louisiana Tech all offered Lewis along with Texas State. He went on visits to Baylor, TCU, SMU and Oklahoma State.

“I like the campus, the campus is one of the best I’ve ever seen,” said Lewis. “I visited Baylor, TCU, Oklahoma State and SMU. Texas State had the best campus of them all. I didn’t see Baylor’s campus but I did see their facilities.”

He committed to TCU in May of 2015 and stayed committed there until he announced his de-commitment on December 18. Lewis cited a coaching change at TCU for the reason he de-committed, as TCU’s co-defensive coordinator and linebackers coach DeMontie Cross left the Horned Frogs to become the new defensive coordinator at Missouri.

Overwhelmed by the amount of offers he received after he de-committed, Lewis said he didn’t sign on National Signing Day in February because he needed time to process everything before picking a school, “I was just trying to figure out where I was going, it got wild after that de-commit,” said Lewis. “Needed some time to figure everything out after that. Staying in Texas was important to me.”

A versatile player, Lewis can be seen in his Hudl playing inside and outside linebacker, defensive end, full back and even special teams. At the 1:35 mark, he even throws a touchdown pass on a fake field goal. He seems like a natural fit at outside linebacker. With a reported 4.7 40 time, he thrives in pass coverage, picking off a few passes and demonstrating a knack for reading plays, in coverage and on run plays. There aren’t too many sacks in his video but there are plenty of busted run plays that he disrupted (speaking of, check out the 1:15 mark in the video to see a monster hit).

“I can play both (outside and inside linebacker) but I would say I’m a better outside linebacker,” said Lewis. “I think I’m better in space, better in the open field than most linebackers but I’m comfortable playing in any defense. ”

Lewis will join the team in August and is expected to play early. He fits in perfectly with the 3-4 base defense the Bobcats will be running this year, “They told me they expect me to play almost as soon as I get there,” said Lewis. “Once I learn the defense, I’ll be playing a lot.”

It has been an unorthodox 2016 class for the Bobcats, as they added four players in the offseason, two graduate transfers (quarterback Eddie Printz and wide receiver Marchie Murdock), a preferred walk-on (quarterback Tyler Ward) and now Lewis. Outside of Ward, those additions are expected to contribute this season, especially Murdock and Lewis.