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Miami Hurricanes center Matt Lee is feeling optimistic about his team's progress as they wrap up spring practice. Lee, who transferred to Miami from UCF and was a three-year starter and all-AAC player, has been impressed with the offense's development under new offensive coordinator Shannon Dawson.
"I think every day we're getting better and we're developing," Lee said in a recent media availability. "And you know, we can see it out on the practice field. On top of that with defense as well, they're getting better and they're putting on a lot of multiple fronts and this and that. It's been a little bit of an ‘iron sharpens iron’ thing. Some days defense might come out on top, some days offense might come out on top, but nonetheless every single day I think every unit on the offense, definitely the offensive line and the receivers and TVD and the quarterbacks and the running backs and the tight ends, each day has been another step in progression."
Lee has also taken on a mentoring role with some of the younger players, particularly those who may step into his shoes in the future. He highlighted Ryan Rodriguez as a player who has been doing well backing him up at center.
"I've absolutely been trying to mentor him," Lee said. "I mean, everybody, all the young guys, you know, it's not just the centers, it's the tackles. And a lot of that comes into mentoring a guy on how to work. It's not always what you say, a lot of it is what you do. So sometimes it's leading by example and pushing guys to keep working."
Lee praised the entire defensive line unit, saying that they have done a great job running a lot of complicated and multiple fronts that can be confusing for opponents.
Lee himself transferred to Miami in the offseason and is excited to be a part of the program. He spoke about his recruitment process and how meaningful it was to him that starting quarterback Tyler Van Dyke flew down from Connecticut to visit him during his own visit.
"I don't think there really was a second [option]," Lee said. "It was kind of always Miami, it was kind of always a no-brainer for various reasons. And then TVD, Tyler coming down on a visit, I didn't know he was coming down at first, and then when we met up at dinner and all that and spent those two nights and days together, it was awesome because it showed me he's a mature, he's a serious, he's a smart, he's a good dude that I'd love to have as my quarterback."
Lee's leadership will be key for the Hurricanes as they look to compete in the ACC this season.
"I think every day we're getting better and we're developing," Lee said in a recent media availability. "And you know, we can see it out on the practice field. On top of that with defense as well, they're getting better and they're putting on a lot of multiple fronts and this and that. It's been a little bit of an ‘iron sharpens iron’ thing. Some days defense might come out on top, some days offense might come out on top, but nonetheless every single day I think every unit on the offense, definitely the offensive line and the receivers and TVD and the quarterbacks and the running backs and the tight ends, each day has been another step in progression."
Lee has also taken on a mentoring role with some of the younger players, particularly those who may step into his shoes in the future. He highlighted Ryan Rodriguez as a player who has been doing well backing him up at center.
"I've absolutely been trying to mentor him," Lee said. "I mean, everybody, all the young guys, you know, it's not just the centers, it's the tackles. And a lot of that comes into mentoring a guy on how to work. It's not always what you say, a lot of it is what you do. So sometimes it's leading by example and pushing guys to keep working."
Lee praised the entire defensive line unit, saying that they have done a great job running a lot of complicated and multiple fronts that can be confusing for opponents.
Lee himself transferred to Miami in the offseason and is excited to be a part of the program. He spoke about his recruitment process and how meaningful it was to him that starting quarterback Tyler Van Dyke flew down from Connecticut to visit him during his own visit.
"I don't think there really was a second [option]," Lee said. "It was kind of always Miami, it was kind of always a no-brainer for various reasons. And then TVD, Tyler coming down on a visit, I didn't know he was coming down at first, and then when we met up at dinner and all that and spent those two nights and days together, it was awesome because it showed me he's a mature, he's a serious, he's a smart, he's a good dude that I'd love to have as my quarterback."
Lee's leadership will be key for the Hurricanes as they look to compete in the ACC this season.
