Interview: JUCO All-American SS DeAnthony Lee with 4.37 Speed had Another Great Season
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @HogManInLA
On the gridiron at the high school or college level, there is no sweeter addition to a player’s name than All-American. One attribute Cisco safety DeAnthony Lee has going for him over the rest of the 2017 recruits across the nation – All-American.
Lee had an explosive senior season for Karen Wagner High School earning team captain, District Defensive Player of the Year, and first team All-District honors in 2013. A redshirt freshman season at Texas A&M Kingsville may have been a downer at the time for Lee but the fruits of his labors then paid off in 2015 when he tore up opposing Texas junior college competition. The 5-9, 185 pound, bell ringer came downhill for 81 tackles, four tackles for a loss, and a sack showing what he can do against the run. Against the pass, Lee broke up two passes and picked off two, he even blocked two kicks showing off his 4.37 speed.
Lee’s sophomore season was more about defending the pass, but still had the element of run stopper to his game. His end of season stats included 60 tackles, three tackles for a loss, one sack, one fumble recovery, one interception, and six passes defended.
One of the bigger shockers on the recruiting trail is the attention given to Lee. Despite two seasons worth of tape showing what he can do against the pass and run, along with his All-American status as a freshman, Lee has just two offers on the table from Virginia Union and Prairie View A&M. With four-year schools nearing the completion of their seasons in November early December, the recruiting trail may heat up for Lee quicker than a west Texas highway in July.
In a Recruiting News Guru exclusive interview, I sat down with Lee to go over his junior college experience while receiving an update on his recruiting process.
Interview
DeAnthony, after high school you played for Kingsville. How did your redshirt freshman season go?
“It was pretty challenging. I was in the weight room a lot. I used that time to get bigger, faster, and stronger so I could get ready for the spring. I used that time to get better and expand my knowledge of the game. I was on scout team during the fall working on getting better. Our coaches would tell me every day to go hard. I kept getting better.”
You freshman season with Cisco was an obvious success. What clicked for you helping you earn All-American honors?
“I actually started off slow after not being on the field in a game from the season before, but I got fired up. I made up time real quick. It drove me to make plays.”
How have you gotten better from your freshman to sophomore season?
“My knowledge of the game. Last year I was a downhill safety. This year I added coverage to my game. I focused on that a lot this year. I had less tackles this year because of that.”
What are the strengths of your game?
“My knowledge on the field and being a leader, a voice on the field. I coach up my teammates beside me. My instincts take over when the ball is snapped. I don’t want the other team to get the best of me. I want to meet the running back in the hole. Getting downhill is a big part of my game. With my coverage, if the QB is my key, I read his eyes. If the shoulder goes one way I’m reading it and making a play.”
What are you working on to improve upon with your game?
“Locating the ball, my hips, and going up to get the ball.”
How do you describe your playing style to others?
“Aggressive.”
How do you prepare for each game?
“I watch film throughout the week. I watch my favorite college and pro players to learn more about the game. Day of the game, my roommate and I watch college football to get into game mode and fired up.”
In the off-season what was your max in the weight room on bench, squat, and power clean?
“My bench was 305, squat 425, and power clean 235.”
Impressive. What is the fastest 40-yard dash time you’ve posted?
“A 4.37 hand-held.”
Wow. You get any faster, you’re going to go back in time.
(Laughs)
Which schools are showing recruiting interest in you right now?
“PV (Prairie View A&M) has offered and so has Virginia Union. NAU (Northern Arizona) has asked for transcripts. Southeast Missouri came by to talk to me. Midwestern State, ACU, U of H (Houston) were talking to me during the spring.”
Have you taken any official or unofficial visits?
“I went to PV for an unofficial game invite. I was there for their Labor Day Classic. I’m visiting there this weekend (Saturday) for their game against Southern.”
When you visited PV previously, how did that go?
“It was pretty cool. It was fun. They have nice facilities. We toured the campus and saw all the new facilities, new weight room, new locker room, and new uniforms. They have new everything there. It was a good experience. We tailgated too. We ate some good food at the tailgate.”
What is your overall GPA?
“I have a 2.98.”
When do you graduate from Cisco?
“Next semester.”
DeAnthony, thanks for your time today and good luck with the recruiting process.
“Thank you.”
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Photo credit: buccaneersports.com; No. 8 DeAnthony Lee in action.