Zach Lee

Quarterback
McKinney (TX)
High School: McKinney

Height: 6-foot-4
Weight: 195 lbs
Forty: 4.77 secs
Shuttle: 4.52 secs
GPA: 4.8
Class: 2010 (High School)

Offers: Committed to LSU Also holds offers from:

Alabama, Arizona State, Arkansas, Arizona, Ole Miss, Nebraska, Texas Tech, Vanderbilt

Side note: Projected as a high MLB draft pick

Rivals: #175 Overall. #9 QB. (5.8 4 star)
Rivals Profile
Scout: #20 QB (4 star)
Scout Profile
ESPN 150 Watch
ESPN Profile

2008 Stats (per ESPN):
Completed 182 of 289 attempts (63-percent) for 2,953 yards, 33 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. Rushed for 261 yards and 11 touchdowns.

Overview of Lee's Recruitment:

Lee's commitment on June 14, 2009 was a great surprise for a lot of LSU fans. Many fans did not expect to sign a high profile quarterback this year, after signing Russel Shepard last year. Despite being a very highly talented quarterback prospect, some of the larger schools were deterred by the possibility of him going to the MLB in the draft. Coach Miles' history of allowing his players to play baseball as well as football certainly weighed in on his decision, as well as LSU's strong baseball program. His commitment was somewhat unexpected, but he was on the radar screen at the time.

Lee cited feeling comfortable as the main reason he chose LSU. LSU was the last stop on Lee's tour of three SEC schools (Ole Miss, Alabama and LSU). Lee also cited LSU's facilities, in comparison to the other schools he had visited as an advantage for LSU.

Lee's commitment is just one of many examples of Miles expanding his recruiting area in order to get the best of the best. Building upon LSU's strong foothold in the Houston area, Miles has started expanding his recruiting into other parts of Texas and Lee is just the most recent example.

Overview of Recruit's Skill Set:

Lee possesses all of the physical tools that you look for in a pro style quarterback. Standing six feet four inches, he can easily view the whole field from the pocket.

He describes himself as a "drop back passer". He is very accurate with intermediate and deep passes. He says that he most needs to improve his speed and scrambling ability.

He possesses a lot of arm strength, but also has the ability to put soft touch on the ball when it's needed. As a junior, he had 33 TD's and only 10 interceptions. He has the talent to be a superstar and the potential to be a great "game manager".

ESPN Description:

Lee possesses the prototypical pocket passer measurables you look for in a drop back quarterback. He shows good height and can see the field from within the pocket. This kid has some moments where he really looks great and he will "wow" you with some throws that are difficult to make.Plays in a spread scheme where he is consistently in the shotgun and he is not forced to drop from center and work through progressions. Stands tall and generally gets rid of the ball on time and accurately. Sets up quickly and can make all the necessary throws when he plants and transfers his weight properly. Release quickness is more than adequate and over-the-top and he gets very good velocity on short and intermediate passes. At times shows outstanding RPM's on the ball. Can change ball speeds and shows nice touch and timing on the deep ball and redzone fade route. Can drop the ball in over coverage to only where his guys can catch it. Can hit receivers in stride and throws a catchable ball on underneath routes with little adjustment by receivers. Possesses just enough athleticism to buy some time, sidestep the rush and get rid of the football, but is not going to be a player that makes many plays outside the pocket with his legs. Lee at times can be a bit robotic in his methods. Will lock onto his primary target. Footwork is just adequate and it benefits him to be in the shotgun, get set and get rid of the ball. Overall, there are moments with Lee where he looks really good and in rhythm, but to be at his best he must be on time and be protected. He is efficient and productive in this scheme as a pocket passer. Has a chance to blossom into a fine player.

My Overall Ranking and Outlook:

83/100

Lee is, physically, a perfect specimen for a pro style quarterback. He will have time to develop as a player and learn the game during his first couple of years at LSU. The depth chart is certainly formidable, but not insurmountable for a prospect like Lee. He needs to work on the finer points of quarterbacking, but given time to develop, he can become a top tier SEC signal caller.

Lee will almost certainly redshirt in order to create an opportunity for him to play later in his career. There are some concerns about conflicts of interest for Lee, with him being such a highly touted baseball prospect.

If Lee grows to his full potential as a quarterback, he will be an impact player for LSU. He's not as much of a "sure thing" as many other QB prospects. That, along with the possibility of him going pro in baseball makes him a bit of a risky take, but for a team with as much depth at QB as LSU, it's worth the risk.