Darren Lewis, the Texas A&M star who broke Eric Dickerson's Southwest Conference rushing record before addiction derailed his football career and post-football life, died on Thursday night at age 55 from cancer.
Lewis, a high school star at Dallas' powerhouse Carter High School, was among the country's top prospects in 1987, often mentioned alongside Emmitt Smith. He rushed for 5,012 yards between 1987-1990, breaking Dickerson's mark (previously held by Earl Campbell) of 4,450 yards, before bowl statistics were included. He finished his career fifth on the NCAA career rushing list, behind Tony Dorsett, Charles White, Herschel Walker and Archie Griffin.