Lewis Cine (pronounced as ‘SEEN’) is an American football safety who will play for the Minnesota Vikings in the National Football League from 2022 onwards. He was drafted in the first round by the Vikings as the 32nd overall selection. 

Cine was born on October 5th, 1999 in Haiti before migrating to the US at the age of 4 with his family. The Cine family settled in Everett, Massachusetts, and young Lewis started his schooling at Everett High School. 

Also read: 306 (and more) ways to win: Rafael Nadal now 4th on all-time Grand Slam wins list

He made waves even in his school career- USA Today named him the Massachusetts Defensive Player of the Year after Cine, during his junior year, recorded 65 tackles, two sacks, two interceptions, two fumble recoveries, and a blocked kick, helping Everett win a second straight MIAA state championship. He was regarded as a top-50 recruit thanks to his exploits.

He moved to Cedar Hill, Texas for his senior year to attend Trinity Christian School where he was coached under the tutelage of Hall of Fame quarterback Deion Sanders, before committing to play his college football at Georgia for the Bulldogs. 

Also read: Matthijs de Ligt could join Chelsea if all parties ‘satisfied’: Juventus CEO

Cine played all 14 games for the Bulldogs in his freshman year, starting the final two- a season in which he made 20 tackles, one interception, and two pass breakups. He was duly named as the starting safety going into his sophomore campaign in 2020, and he started all 10 games that year making 52 tackles and breaking up 3 passes. In 2021, he received third-team Associated Press All-American and second-team All-SEC honours for leading his squad with nine pass breakups, as well as 73 tackles and an interception in his 15 starts that season. 

Also read: ‘It’s like coming home’: Romelu Lukaku completes loan move to Inter Milan

Cine is described as a player that can lift the entire team with his heroics: already possessing an NFL-calibre attitude and the will to rise to the occasion when it matters most. He is quick to read the game and possesses the aggression to react accordingly. He will need to fill out his frame and work on his route recognition though, as he prepares to join the big league.