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The 2023 ACC Kickoff event provided an opportunity for the media to catch up with Miami Hurricanes' center, Matt Lee who was a key addition to the team's offensive line this offseason. Lee answered questions about his decision to join the Hurricanes from UCF, the team's identity going forward, and the legacy he aims to leave behind.
Lee, who hails from Oviedo, Florida, had several options when it came to choosing a program from the portal.
"There's a lot of reasons that went into that (his decision). I'm from Florida, near Orlando, near UCF, my previous school, and growing up, I always liked the Canes, always liked the U, everything about Miami." His decision was also influenced by family ties in the city. After an official visit to Miami, meeting Coach Cristobal, Coach Mirabal, TVD, and other players, he felt that joining the Hurricanes was a "no-brainer."
The Canes offensive line was much maligned last season, and definitely viewed as a weakness of the team. When asked about the impact he and other transfers could have on the new-look unit, Lee responded, "Me and Javion [Cohen] come from the portal, but also guys like Jalen Rivers and Anez Cooper, and the new freshmen like Francis Mauigoa and Samson Okunlola. Tough, we're going to get after it." He emphasized the importance of work ethic and toughness, highlighting their mentality to be the "toughest, meanest guys on the field every single snap, every single game."
Lee stated, "I want to win games. I want to win a Conference Championship. I want to go all the way, all that comes with that."
Reflecting on his journey, he shared, "Out of high school, I didn't really have any offers at the FBS level, I had two of them. Underrecruited, not really appreciated…by the time I went into the transfer portal, I could have gone pretty much anywhere in the country. But I've always prided myself on being the hardest worker, most disciplined, most mentally focused on the mental side of the game.”
Lee, who hails from Oviedo, Florida, had several options when it came to choosing a program from the portal.
"There's a lot of reasons that went into that (his decision). I'm from Florida, near Orlando, near UCF, my previous school, and growing up, I always liked the Canes, always liked the U, everything about Miami." His decision was also influenced by family ties in the city. After an official visit to Miami, meeting Coach Cristobal, Coach Mirabal, TVD, and other players, he felt that joining the Hurricanes was a "no-brainer."
The Canes offensive line was much maligned last season, and definitely viewed as a weakness of the team. When asked about the impact he and other transfers could have on the new-look unit, Lee responded, "Me and Javion [Cohen] come from the portal, but also guys like Jalen Rivers and Anez Cooper, and the new freshmen like Francis Mauigoa and Samson Okunlola. Tough, we're going to get after it." He emphasized the importance of work ethic and toughness, highlighting their mentality to be the "toughest, meanest guys on the field every single snap, every single game."
Lee stated, "I want to win games. I want to win a Conference Championship. I want to go all the way, all that comes with that."
Reflecting on his journey, he shared, "Out of high school, I didn't really have any offers at the FBS level, I had two of them. Underrecruited, not really appreciated…by the time I went into the transfer portal, I could have gone pretty much anywhere in the country. But I've always prided myself on being the hardest worker, most disciplined, most mentally focused on the mental side of the game.”
