Last spring, a 225-pound former high school quarterback opened eyes and surprised everyone at Ohio State spring practice as he was flying around taking first-team reps at linebacker. He was scratching, clawing, fighting any way possible to make a name for himself.
One year later, that same guy has packed on 10 pounds and is limited in contact drills because he's such a valuable part of the Buckeyes defense.
What a difference a year can make.
Darron Lee was a widely unknown guy in Columbus one year ago. He came to Ohio State without a natural position and redshirted as a true freshman. But when his time came following that redshirt year, boy did he make the most of it.
Lee was all over the field during last season's national championship run for the Buckeyes. He was second on the team in tackles for loss (16.5) and sacks (7.5) and third in tackles (81). He had a pair of interceptions and two fumble recoveries and also scored two touchdowns on the year.
“I feel that after playing a whole season and doing what we did last year, I definitely have to hold other guys accountable.”– Darron Lee
His best performance of the season arguably came in the Sugar Bowl against Alabama where he was named Defensive MVP as Ohio State topped the Crimson Tide, 42-35.
“I mean, hard work pays, that’s all I can really tell you for that," Lee said Thursday following the Buckeyes' fourth practice of the spring. "Work hard, had a lot of guys in the LB room holding me accountable to work hard, had great leaders on defense last year that made me work hard and made everybody else work hard."
He was one of the "younger guys" last year, but that's not the case anymore. He's as established of a player as Ohio State will have on its defense in 2015. "I’m not getting any younger here," he joked.
It's quite a turnaround for Lee. Going from young gun to leader in the span of one season is a bit of an adjustment, but one that doesn't seem too difficult for him. Lee sees himself as somewhat of a mentor now to some of the younger Buckeye linebackers.
"I feel that after playing a whole season and doing what we did last year, I definitely have to hold other guys accountable," Lee said. "Leading by example is definitely a thing, but also having fun. You’ve gotta have fun with all this stuff.”
Lee, along with Joey Bosa, Adolphus Washington and Joshua Perry were held out of contact drills Thursday and will likely be the cost most of this spring. Head coach Urban Meyer has established a 2,000-rep club and wants guys who have played a significant amount of snaps to rest during spring.
But that doesn't mean Lee still isn't working on his game. He's "perfecting his craft and technique" this spring. Oh, and he's also showing the other guys how things are done.
"Come out here and get better and if you’re not holding up your end of the bargain, the coaches will see it and they’ll point it out," Lee said. "It’s good to establish that work ethic in the spring time, getting better technique and all that but it’s fun being out here.”
