2017 NFL Draft Extended Outlook: Elijah Lee

2016 Was a big year for Elijah Lee.

• 2016 First Team All-Big 12

• 2016 Second Team All-Big 12

• 2016 Honorable Mention Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year

No stranger to being a dominant force on the football field, Lee has won awards like this before. Lee’s freshman year he saw the field right after joining the Wildcats and earned Honorable Mention for Big 12 Defensive Freshman of the Year. Not redshirting his freshman year set a tone for the rest of his career… Elijah Lee was ready to make an impact and get down to business.

Lee decided not to return for another year at K-State and declared for the draft instead. The 6’3” 230lb linebacker from Blue Springs, Missouri has a lot to prove and a more limited platform than his teammate Jordan Willis had. Without an invite to the NFL Combine, Lee had to focus on making his Pro Day in early March his best display of his skills yet. In true Wildcat fashion, Lee did not disappoint.

He would have ranked first among all linebackers to participate at the combine with his 38-inch vertical jump, ranked tied for 8th in the broad jump (122 inches) and ran his 40-yard dash in 4.7 seconds, stellar times for the big bodied linebacker.

While all of these drills show off his versatility, Elijah Lee’s career at K-State speaks for itself with the accomplishments Lee made under head coach Bill Snyder. One that stands out the most? Lee has the highest total interceptions of any linebacker under Snyder with an impressive five interceptions. Since linebackers don’t usually get interceptions, his ability to make plays like that would transition well to the NFL.

Both 3-4 and 4-3 teams have shown interest in him, which gives Lee hope he can be a third or fourth round pick. This talented young man would be a great addition to any team with his drive and motivation to succeed. Looking forward to watching Elijah Lee for many years to come in the NFL.

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