SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Darron Lee sat down at his podium inside the JW Marriott Camelback Inn Resort on Monday to preview Ohio State’s upcoming Fiesta Bowl matchup with Notre Dame with his trademark smile. The Buckeyes’ star outside linebacker likely figured the questions that would follow would pertain to his team’s ability to contain the Fighting Irish’s potent offense, this season as a whole and even, potentially, his future plans.
There was nothing out of the ordinary here; it was your typical bowl week media setting.
What Lee likely didn’t think he’d get the chance to do, however, was relive his true glory days as a high school quarterback. And when they were brought up, Lee’s already wide-eyed smile got wider.
“Quarterback is — well, it was because I don’t do it anymore, but it was like breathing to me,” said Lee, a former standout signal caller on the high school gridiron. “I always had a feel for it, throwing the ball around, I had a good feel for it because I had been playing it since I was five.”
Lee then briefly discussed how he also returned punts at New Albany High School — located just outside of Columbus. He did everything for a team he helped carry to the state semifinals as a senior.
“If we needed a score, I asked my coach if he needed me to return this,” Lee recalled. “He said, 'Yep.' ... House.”
Lee’s transition from high school quarterback to standout college linebacker is not some new phenomenon; that tale has been told on numerous occasions. But what makes things more fascinating is the New Year’s Day battle with Notre Dame could potentially be Lee's final game in an Ohio State uniform.
A redshirt sophomore, Lee is one of many players on the Buckeyes’ roster who could potentially make the jump to the NFL come season’s end should he choose to do so. But while some of his Ohio State teammates have pretty obvious choices — Joey Bosa and Ezekiel Elliott to name a pair — Lee’s decision isn’t quite as clear-cut.
According to some NFL mock drafts, Lee seems like he could range anywhere from a late first-round pick to a late-second, early-third-round selection. That’s a large window for any prospect.
Perhaps that’s because there’s still so much he can learn at the linebacker position. After all, Lee is just finishing his second full season of playing the position.
Lee has flashed moments that say he’s ready for the NFL, but has also shown, at times, another year in college would not be the worst thing.
“A guy like Darron Lee, a redshirt sophomore, didn’t have the best season. He had a really good season, but after what he did last year in the College Football Playoff I think we were really expecting him to take that next step this year,” CBS Sports NFL Draft analyst Dane Brugler told Eleven Warriors. “While he did play well, he also showed that he could use another season of college ball before he’s ready for the pros.”
Lee said he has not even thought about the looming decision. Many of his teammates, sans Elliott, have shared similar sentiments.
“I’m focused on beating Notre Dame and focused on helping my team beat Notre Dame,” Lee said. “I’m not thinking in any way, shape or form ahead. Taking it one day at a time so we can go beat Notre Dame on Friday.”
Lee’s versatility is what makes him such an intriguing prospect. He is a unique athlete with a unique skill set that is very valuable not only for Ohio State, but for any future team for which he may wind up playing.
His progression over just a brief, three-year period has been somewhat staggering.
“I think a lot of times the best situations is almost like a Darron Lee,” co-defensive coordinator and linebackers coach Luke Fickell said. “Some of those guys that have to build themselves up.”
Like many of his teammates, Lee will have to make a decision on his future following the Fiesta Bowl. His just happens to be more complex than some of the others.
“Appreciative for all that’s happened; I’ve been blessed, extremely,” Lee said. “I’m very fortunate because not a lot of guys get to do this, not a lot of guys get to play for Ohio State, not a lot of guys who play for Ohio State and succeed at Ohio State so it’s a blessing.
“It’s cool to see how far I’ve come, but I still have a lot of work to do.”
