AMES, Iowa – Iowa State head football coach Matt Campbell announced that three outstanding walk-on contributors – Braxton Lewis, Collin Olson and Amechie Walker – will finish their respective careers as Cyclones on scholarship.
“Braxton, Collin and Amechie are perfect examples of the quality walk-on program we have in place at Iowa State,” Campbell said. “Through hard work, determination and selflessness, they earned this. All three will have an impact on our team next year and I couldn’t be more proud for them.”
Lewis, a native of Overland Park, Kan., has been a contributor on defense for three seasons and a key player in Iowa State’s resurgence on defense. Lewis started all 13 games in 2018, leading the team in interceptions (3) and racking up 70 tackles to rank fourth on the team.
Lewis was named Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week after the Oklahoma State victory when he posted seven tackles, one TFL and one interception. He was a nominee for the Burlsworth Trophy, given annually to the nation’s best football player who began their career as a walk-on.
Olson grew up a Cyclone fan in nearby Ankeny dreaming about playing at Jack Trice Stadium. He spent his first three years as a defensive lineman until Campbell suggested a switch to the offensive line prior to the 2018 season.
The move paid off, as Olson started 11 games at left guard, helping pave the way for 1,000-yard rusher and All-American David Montgomery.
Walker, a Harrisburg, Pa., native, arrived at Iowa State in 2016 as a wide receiver after transferring from New Hampshire. Walker worked with the wide receiver unit in 2016 and 2017 before switching to the defensive secondary in 2018.
He earned a spot on special teams and played three defensive snaps in the Alamo Bowl vs. Washington State last year. After a productive spring season, Walker has worked his way up on the defensive backfield depth chart.
