Calen Jarrett Lee (born June 2, 1989) is a former American football quarterback. He was signed by the San Diego Chargers as an undrafted free agent in 2012. He played college football at LSU.

Jarrett Lee
refer to caption
Lee with the LSU Tigers
Personal information
Born: (1989-06-02) June 2, 1989 (age 34)
San Angelo, Texas, U.S.
Height:6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Weight:206 lb (93 kg)
Career information
High school:Brenham (TX)
College:LSU
Position:Quarterback
Undrafted:2012
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career highlights and awards

High school career edit

Lee started his high school football career at Brownwood High School in Brownwood, Texas, where he completed 98-of-168 passes for 1,700 yards and 18 touchdowns operating out of a one-back offense. He also rushed for 250 yards and four touchdowns.

Prior to his junior season, Lee transferred to Brenham High School as his father, Stephen, took a job on the staff as the wide receiver coach. Lee holds every major season and career passing record in Brenham High School football history. He finished with 6,182 career passing yards and 78 total touchdowns, more than doubling the previous record of 2,217 yards by Chip Matejowsky from 1985 through 1987. His 72 career touchdown passes eclipsed Charles Proske's next-best 28, and he is first and second for Brenham's single-season completion, attempt, touchdown, and passing yardage records.[1]

Most recruiting experts considered Lee one of the top three quarterback prospects in Texas, besides Ryan Mallett of Texas High School in Texarkana, Texas, and Brock Mansion of Episcopal School of Dallas. Recruiting analyst Tom Lemming compared Lee to former Sam Houston State quarterback Rhett Bomar.[2] Lee had more than 30 scholarship offers from Division I schools, and chose to attend LSU over Nebraska, Kansas State, Oklahoma, and others on May 30, 2006.[3]

US college sports recruiting information for high school athletes
Name Hometown High school / college Height Weight 40 Commit date
Jarrett Lee
QB
Brenham, Texas Brenham High School 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 192 lb (87 kg) 4.68 May 30, 2006 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    247SportsN/A    ESPN grade: 81
Overall recruiting rankings: Scout: 15 (QB)   Rivals: 7 (QB), 25 (TX)  ESPN: 60, 10 (QB)
  • Note: In many cases, Scout, Rivals, 247Sports, and ESPN may conflict in their listings of height and weight.
  • In these cases, the average was taken. ESPN grades are on a 100-point scale.

Sources:

  • "2007 Team Ranking". Rivals.com. Retrieved October 12, 2011.

College career edit

2007 season edit

Lee was the third-string quarterback at LSU behind then-senior Matt Flynn and redshirted sophomore Ryan Perrilloux. Considering his age, Lee redshirted for the 2007 season.[4]

2008 season edit

For the 2008 season, junior Ryan Perrilloux was projected to be the starting quarterback for LSU, but he was dismissed from the team for breaking team rules.[5] Andrew Hatch started the first three games as quarterback, but was injured in the third game against Auburn. Beginning with the fourth game (Mississippi State), Lee started eight games as quarterback, compiling a 4–4 record. Three of the losses came against teams that were ranked #1 at some point during the year. Against Troy University, Lee led the largest comeback in LSU history taking an LSU team that trailed 31 to 3 in the 3rd quarter and scoring 37 unanswered points.[6] An ankle injury ended Jarrett's season against Ole Miss, accounting for his fourth loss of the season.[7] For the season, Lee threw an NCAA leading 7 interceptions that were returned for touchdowns. However, as one of only three freshman quarterbacks who have started more than six games for LSU, Lee put together one of the most prolific seasons for a freshman quarterback in LSU history, throwing for 1,873 yards and 14 touchdowns, second behind true freshman Tommy Hodson for yards and touchdowns.[8]

2009 season edit

In his only start of the 2009 season, Lee completed 7-of-22 (32%) passes in a homecoming game win against Louisiana Tech, a member of the Western Athletic Conference.[9] For the season, he completed 16-of-40 (40%) passes for 197 yards, 2 touchdowns, and 1 interception.[10] LSU's national rank in passing offense dropped from 71st in 2008 to 97th in 2009 with the replacing of Lee as the starter.

2010 season edit

LSU had a 11–2 season in 2010.[11] Although Lee did not start any games, he was called on to lead game-winning drives against Tennessee, Florida, and Auburn. He drove LSU down to the 2 yard line against Tennessee, threw a game-winning touchdown pass against Florida, but failed against Auburn. Against Alabama, he completed a critical 3rd down pass. For the season, Lee completed 54 of 89 (61%) passes for 573 yards, 2 touchdowns, and 1 interception.[10] After the conclusion of his junior season, Lee had appeared in 30 career games, and he had passed for 2,643 yards and 18 touchdowns. Although LSU's national rank in passing was 107th, LSU's national rank in rushing was 28th.

2011 season edit

Lee began the 2011 season as the starting quarterback[12] because Jordan Jefferson was suspended for the first four games of the season.[13] In the season opener against #3 Oregon, Lee helped lead LSU to a 40–27 victory although completing only 10 of 22 (45%) passes for less than 100 yards.[14] Lee went on to lead the team to a 49–3 victory over Northwestern State,[15] a 19–6 victory over Mississippi State,[16] and a 47–21 victory over West Virginia[17] before Jefferson was reinstated to the team.[18] Lee continued to start, and win, for several more games, and fans were impressed with Lee's steady performance and leadership of the team.[19] Lee had the second longest streak of consecutive passes thrown without an interception among all LSU quarterbacks, lasting from the fifth game in the 2010 season to the third game in the 2011 season.

Despite Lee's commendable performance for most of the season,[20] Lee was pulled for his poor performance in the November game against Alabama. Lee finished the game 3 of 7 (43%) for 24 yards with 2 interceptions and a passer rating of 14.5. Lee was 2 of 2 for 19 yards when Jefferson was substituted for Lee to pick up a third and one on the fifth play of the game. Following a Lee interception which led to a blocked Alabama field goal attempt, Jefferson came in for Lee again, played the rest of the first half, and started the second half. Lee was given another chance in the second half but immediately threw his second interception of the game which led to an Alabama field goal[21]

Following the Alabama game, the two quarterbacks were expected to rotate going forward;[22] however, Lee saw very little playing time. The decision to give the starting role back to Jordan Jefferson was not without some controversy,[23] and was questioned by some media and fans throughout the rest of the season.[24]

This criticism reached a peak after the rematch loss to Alabama in the National Championship game, where Lee did not enter the game despite a poor performance by Jefferson.[25] LSU finished the game as the only team in BCS championship history to not score a point. This caused heated exchanges from some fans and media, with the sharpest public criticism coming from Bobby Hebert in a post-game outburst where he demanded to know why Miles did not put Lee into the game. Most people believe that Bobby Hebert’s embarrassing tantrum was motivated by the fact that Bobby Hebert’s son, T-Bob, did not play in the game.[26]

Lee finished the 2011 season with a passer rating of 152.0. Lee was selected by ESPN as the All-SEC senior team quarterback.[27]

A week after the BCS title game, Lee was invited to play in The Casino Del Sol All Star Game in Tucson. In the game, Lee finished 13 of 18 for 176 yards with 2 touchdowns and no interceptions. Lee played his second All-Star game in less than 1 week in The NFLPA Collegiate Bowl. In that game, Lee completed 2 of 6 passes for 36 yards, including a 13-yard touchdown pass to Isaiah Thomas.

College career statistics edit

Season Games Passing
GP GS Cmp Att Pct Yds TD Int Lng Rtg
2008 11 8 143 269 53.2 1,873 14 16 66 116.9
2009 6 1 16 40 40.0 197 2 1 38 92.9
2010 10 0 54 89 60.7 573 2 1 47 119.4
2011 11 9 104 167 62.3 1,306 14 3 57 152.0
Total 38 18 317 565 56.1 3,949 32 21 66 126.1

Professional career edit

San Diego Chargers edit

Lee went undrafted in the 2012 NFL Draft, but on April 29, 2012, Lee signed a contract with the San Diego Chargers.[28] Lee was waived by the Chargers on August 31, 2012.[29]

BC Lions edit

On March 4, 2014, Lee signed with the BC Lions.[30] He was released by the Lions on May 14, 2014.[31]

References edit

  1. ^ Bray, Richard (February 6, 2007). "Six Cubs to sign with Division I programs". Brenham Banner. Retrieved July 28, 2023.
  2. ^ "CSTV.com: #1 in College Sports". www.cstv.com. Archived from the original on November 3, 2006.
  3. ^ Bray, Richard (May 31, 2006). "BHS quarterback Lee commits to LSU". Brenham Banner. Retrieved July 28, 2023.
  4. ^ Schlabach, Mark (September 22, 2011). "Schlabach: LSU QB Jarrett Lee perseveres". ESPN.com. Retrieved July 28, 2023.
  5. ^ ESPN Staff. "Sources: Dismissed LSU QB Perrilloux failed drug test". espn.com. Retrieved August 19, 2012.
  6. ^ ESPN Staff. "LSU rallies from 28 down to trip Troy in Baton Rouge". espn.com. Retrieved August 19, 2012.
  7. ^ "Jarrett Lee biography". lsusports.net (official site of LSU athletics). Retrieved October 23, 2009.
  8. ^ Staff, Totalfootballstats.com. "LSU Tigers Career Passing Leaders – Since 1970". Totalfootballstats.com. Retrieved August 22, 2012.
  9. ^ "LSU rides Williams' legs past upset-minded Louisiana Tech". ESPN.com. Retrieved October 12, 2011.
  10. ^ a b "Jarrett Lee". ESPN.com. Retrieved October 12, 2011.
  11. ^ "2010 LSU Fighting Tigers Stats". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved July 28, 2023.
  12. ^ Kleinpeter, Jim (August 30, 2011). "LSU senior Jarrett Lee once again gets to hold the reins". NOLA.com. Retrieved October 13, 2011.
  13. ^ Schlabach, Mark (September 30, 2011). "LSU players Jordan Jefferson, Josh Johns suspended indefinitely". ESPN.com. Associated Press. Retrieved August 19, 2012.
  14. ^ "Oregon vs LSU Box Score, September 3, 2011". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved July 28, 2023.
  15. ^ "Spencer Ware, Michael Ford combine for 4 TDs as LSU romps". ESPN.com. Associated Press. September 11, 2011. Retrieved October 13, 2011.
  16. ^ "No. 3 LSU's solid defense shuts down No. 25 Mississippi State". ESPN.com. Associated Press. September 16, 2011. Retrieved October 13, 2011.
  17. ^ "Jarrett Lee tosses 3 TDs as LSU make case for No. 1 with drubbing of WVU". ESPN.com. Associated Press. September 25, 2011. Retrieved October 13, 2011.
  18. ^ Kleinpeter, Jim (September 28, 2011). "LSU football: Jordan Jefferson reinstated to team after battery charge reduced". nola.com. Retrieved October 13, 2011.
  19. ^ Johnson, Luke (September 28, 2011). "Jarrett Lee's maturity, development evident as quarterback of No. 1 LSU". nola.com. Retrieved December 3, 2011.
  20. ^ Mandel, Stewart (November 3, 2011). "Tigers' Lee went from backup to SEC's most efficient quarterback". sportsillustrated.cnn.com. Retrieved December 3, 2011.
  21. ^ Associated Press. "LSU kicks winning field goal in OT for defensive-minded win over Alabama". espn.com. Retrieved May 9, 2012.
  22. ^ Eubanks, Steve (October 10, 2011). "Yes, LSU has two QBs: What's the problem?". foxsportsflorida.com. Retrieved December 3, 2011.
  23. ^ Landry, Rob (November 13, 2011). "Body Shots: Miles' QB decision puzzling, potentially costly". lsureville.com. Retrieved December 3, 2011.
  24. ^ Guilbeau, Glenn (December 11, 2011). "Les Miles' treatment of Jarrett Lee a sore spot for some LSU fans". shreveporttimes.com. Retrieved December 11, 2011.
  25. ^ Handwerger, Bradley (January 10, 2012). "Handwerger: Sticking with Jefferson dooms LSU in title game". wwltv.com. Archived from the original on January 13, 2012. Retrieved January 10, 2012.
  26. ^ Hinton, Matt (January 10, 2012). "Video: Bobby Hebert wants to know why Les Miles didn't pull Jordan Jefferson, too". yahoo.com. Retrieved January 10, 2012.
  27. ^ Low, Chris (December 26, 2011). "2011 All-SEC senior team". espn.com. Retrieved May 6, 2012.
  28. ^ Rosenthal, Gregg (April 29, 2012). "Jarrett Lee joins Chargers with immediate motivation". NFL.com. Retrieved July 28, 2023.
  29. ^ Williamson, Bill (September 1, 2012). "Chargers get down to 53-man limit". ESPN.com. Retrieved July 28, 2023.
  30. ^ "BC Lions sign former BYU QB John Beck and LSU QB Jarrett Lee". Boxscore News. March 4, 2014. Retrieved July 28, 2023.
  31. ^ "BC Lions Transactions". BC Lions. June 22, 2012. Archived from the original on August 23, 2015. Retrieved August 31, 2014.

External links edit