Scouting Report: Marqise Lee

The Trojans have a 2013 Heisman candidate in Marqise Lee

     After watching tape of Marqise Lee last year at USC, I am fully convinced that he is a top 10 talent for the NFL draft in 2014. I am a die hard Clemson Tiger and have been watching Sammy Watkins over the past two seasons, which has been an absolute pleasure, but even my eyes tell me that Marqise Lee is a better football player than Watkins at this point. Sammy is faster and has more upside,  but right now Lee looks like a #1 NFL receiver playing against college football competition. He knows how to set up defenders and is very explosive when changing pace and/or direction. Lee also catches the ball at the highest point, has the ability to score on any play, knows how to get open on a consistent basis, uses long smooth strides to run past defenders, breaks tackles, and has very good hands. The only knack on Marqise is that he tends to let the ball get into his chest a little more than you would like to see, but that can be coached. Lee has no problem catching the ball and toe tapping 2 feet down before falling out of bounds, then protects his fall with a smooth roll. Athleticism is a must for receivers in today's NFL, because bigger corners such as Richard Sherman have been exposing smaller guys who are just fast. The ability to contort your body without losing balance or speed prevents defenders from getting a "solid hit" on a ball-carrier, and Lee has this ability down to a T.

You will be lucky to get a hand on Marqise Lee once he's in open space

    
     Sometimes we talk about football so much that we forget to look at the background of a young man who is a human being when the pads come off. Marqise Lee's story is one that should be told by many, not because of his popularity, but because of the determination he has shown in the face of adversity. Both of Lee's parent's are deaf, so he has to communicate with them through sign language. He also has two other brothers that both got involved in gang activities at an early age. One of the brothers was murdered and the other one is currently in prison (This information came directly from The Sporting News). When you combine the personality of someone who can overcome these kind of obstacles with their superb-athleticism, you have one very special young man. God bless everything Marqise Lee has overcome in his life and we are all rooting for him to succeed in whatever life brings him. Check out this link on youtube to get a glimpse of what Marqise Lee can bring to the NFL with a healthy 2013 campaign: Marqise Lee 2012 USC Highlights