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Overview
This late bloomer intercepted just one pass in his first 41 games at Auburn, but found being a pass thief to his liking as a senior. During a five-game midseason span, he pulled in four interceptions for the Tigers in 2007. Two of those thefts set up Auburn touchdowns and another led to a field goal.
Not known for his tackling ability, Lee managed to put together a string of making at least one tackle in his final 20 contests. He also added to his resume by taking on kickoff return duties as a senior, averaging 25.8 yards per return.
At Christopher Columbus High School, Lee earned Super Prep All-Dixie and Florida Times Union Super 75 honors. He was named one of the top five cornerbacks in Florida by the Florida Times Union and received second-team All-Dade County honors.
Lee started at free safety during his last two seasons. He recorded 70 tackles, five broken up passes, three interceptions, two fumble recoveries and two blocked kicks. He returned one interception 75 yards for a touchdown and also returned 14 kickoffs for 256 yards, including one for an 85-yard touchdown. He also competed in track, winning the state championship in the long jump with a leap of 23'10".
Lee red-shirted in 2003 at Auburn. He appeared in 12 games as a reserve cornerback in 2004, posting 14 tackles (12 solos) with a stop for a 2-yard loss and a pass break-up. He took over right cornerback chores as a sophomore, starting the first five games, but after coming up with just seven tackles as a starter, he spent the rest of the season as a reserve, finishing with nine hits (7 solos) and three pass deflections.
Lee shared right cornerback duties with Jonathan Wilhite, starting four of 12 games he played in. He totaled 25 tackles (15 solos) with a stop for a loss, coming up with his first career interception. He also caused a fumble that he recovered and advanced 20 yards for a touchdown.
As a senior, Lee earned All-Southeastern Conference second-team honors. He averaged 25.8 yards on 11 kickoff returns and started all season at right cornerback. He was in on a career-high 55 tackles (40 solos), ranking sixth on the team. He also caused a fumble, broke up 10 passes and intercepted four others.
In 48 games at Auburn, Lee started 22 contests at right cornerback. He recorded 103 tackles (74 solos) with three stops for losses of 12 yards and a quarterback pressure. He had two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery that he returned 20 yards. He deflected 20 passes and gained 52 yards on five interception returns. He also totaled 299 yards on 12 kickoff returns (24.9 avg).
Analysis
Positives: Has a track man's body with lean muscle definition, long limbs and very good timed speed, but struggles to open his hips and turn fluidly on the ball, which negates some of his quickness … Shows good body control making plays in front of him, but has a choppy backpedal which causes him to false step in transition … Has average leaping ability, showing good explosion going up for the ball, but must do a better job timing his leaps (fails to get to the ball at its high point due to poor timing) … Keeps position and anticipates breaks and cuts well when asked to handle man coverage in the short area, but must flip his hips better when trying to mirror on deep routes … Sees routes develop better when playing the zone, showing adequate three-step reactions and timing in his pass drops, but will bite on pump fakes … Takes good angles coming off breaks on deep passes, but must do a better job when trying to high point the ball … Best asset is his straight-line speed, which gets him downfield in a hurry as a gunner on special teams to break up the wedge … Has good upper body strength, but it would be even more effective if he learns how to use wrap-up technique (ankle bites too much when tackling) … Well-built athlete, but with his stiff hip issues and adequate hands, he might be a better fit as a safety than on the corners … Showed in limited opportunities that his speed and straight-line burst could be very effective serving on kickoff returns.
Negatives: Does no always play up to his timed speed, as he lacks fluidity coming out of his backpedal and fails to generate an explosive burst to recover when a receiver gets behind him … Takes slow, choppy steps in his pedal and stays too tall in his stance, preventing him from opening his hips to turn and run on the ball … Plays too tentative, allowing a big cushion while hesitating to come up and try to press the receiver at the line of scrimmage … Despite his success intercepting the ball as a senior, he lacks natural hands, letting the ball into his body rather than extending for it … Also has poor timing and despite his good leaping skills, his lack of awareness to the ball in flight prevents him from getting vertical in attempts to compete for the jump ball … Has marginal plant-and-drive agility that results in him failing to mirror receivers on patterns … Slow to recognize the ball and will generally get a late start in attempts to close … Gets fooled often by a savvy receiver, as he always bites on hip wiggle/shake and double moves … Tries to compensate for his poor mirror ability by grabbing at his opponent, which leads to a rash of pass interference calls … Does not have the closing speed to recover when a receiver eats up his cushion … Can close on plays in front of him, but needs to show more courage when playing in the box, as he shies away from contact … When a blocker gets into his body, he has poor hand usage to combat and struggles to disengage … Lacks sideline range, as his stiff hips prevent him from closing with any urgency on perimeter plays … Needs to improve his eyes and awareness playing in the zone, as a quarterback can take him out of the action because he generally bites on misdirection and pump fakes … Needs more than a few reps to retain and will struggle trying to digest a complicated playbook.
Compares To: DAVID BARRETT-New York Jets … Like Barrett, Lee is the type of player a team might put in the lineup, but only if it has few other options. He is certainly not a playmaker and don't be fooled by his four interceptions in 2007 (three came on throws right to him), as he lacks field awareness and is fooled more on the field than a child at his first magician's show. Lee just does not have the burst, range or fluid hips to mirror receivers on deep routes and gets fooled often by double moves and pump fakes. Outside of his duties as a gunner on special teams, he brings little value to the draft table.
Injury Report
2004: Sat out the Arkansas clash with a hamstring pull.
2005: Missed the Louisiana State contest with an ankle sprain.
Attended Christopher Columbus (Miami, Fla.) High School, playing football for head coach Chris Merritt … Earned Super Prep All-Dixie and Florida Times Union Super 75 honors … Named one of the top five cornerbacks in Florida by the Florida Times Union and received second-team All-Dade County honors … Started at free safety during his last two seasons … Recorded 70 tackles, five broken up passes, three interceptions, two fumble recoveries and two blocked kicks … Returned one interception 75 yards for a touchdown and also returned 14 kickoffs for 256 yards including one for an 85-yard touchdown … Competed in track, winning the state championship in the long jump with a leap of 23'10".
Personal
Graduated in December 2006 with a degree in Criminology … Son of Marlene and David Lee … Born 2/20/84 … Resides in Miami, Florida.
