He played college football at Mississippi State University and was selected in the sixth round of the 1968 NFL draft.
He led Mississippi State in tackles and assists all three of his varsity seasons and was named team captain his senior year.
Despite being on teams that went 7–23, Lewis earned All-Southeastern Conference honors twice and was a first-team All-American selection his senior year.
Repeatedly anointed as the top linebacker in the Southeastern Conference, Lewis made a distinct impression on rival coaches.
For his accomplishments while at Mississippi State University, Lewis was inducted into the nation's College Football Hall of Fame in 2001.
During the 1982 season, Lewis famously reasoned that "Texas Stadium has a hole in its roof so God can watch His favorite team play".