Former Monsignor Edward Pace High School linebacker Sage Lewis, who is coming off a record-setting season at Florida International University, has been added to the watch list for the 2020 Senior Bowl.
Also on the watch list: FIU’s quarterback James Morgan.
Being added to the watch list is the first step toward making it to the prestigious college football All-Star game. About 110 players will ultimately be invited to the Senior Bowl, which gets played in Mobile, Ala. on Jan. 25.
The Panthers teammates are among 475 other seniors hoping to be chosen for that game, FIU said in a press release.
All 32 NFL teams typically send staff to the game and the practices that precede it, to meet and study players before the NFL Draft.
Lewis set an FIU record with 132 tackles last season, 83 of them solo, leading Conference USA in both categories. He is a returning first-team All-Conference USA player, FIU said.
Lewis’ hometown is Opa-locka. Being on the Senior Bowl watch list is the fourth major preseason accomplishment for Lewis. He was chosen as Conference USA's preseason defensive player of the year and is on the preseason watch lists for the Bronko Nagurski Trophy (presented to the best defensive player in college football) and the Butkus Award (named for Dick Butkus and presented to college football's best linebacker).
Morgan, of Green Bay, Wis., is a redshirt senior. He earned a Conference USA Newcomer of the Year honor in his first season when he broke several FIU records, including for most touchdown passes in a season — 26 — the school said.
Morgan is also on this year’s watch lists for the Manning Award (named in honor of Archie, Peyton and Eli Manning) and the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm award, given each year to the outstanding senior or fourth-year quarterback, according to FIU.
Other watch lists that Morgan is on are for the Davy O'Brien National Quarterback Award; the Wuerffel Trophy, named for Heisman Trophy winner Danny Wuerffel from the University of Florida. It is awarded for the Football Bowl Subdivision player who combines exemplary community service with athletic and academic achievement.
FIU won a program-high nine games last season, ending the year with a win over Toledo in the Bahamas Bowl. FIU was picked second in C-USA's East Division preseason poll and is looking for a third consecutive bowl appearance.