Four-star corner Lee picks the Jayhawks

When David Beaty hired Tony Hull he wanted to make in-roads in Louisiana. Hull, a successful high school coach in New Orleans, was supposed to build relationships over time. But it has come much quicker than anybody thought it would.

Late Thursday night the Jayhawks picked up a commitment from four-star cornerback Michael Lee, who might be the biggest recruiting get in the Beaty era.

“When I went up there it just felt like home,” Lee said. “Sometimes when I go places I can tell I might be homesick. But being around Coach Perry, coach Hull, and coach Beaty I never felt that way.”

Lee visited Lawrence in early April. Over time he had a chance to build a bond with Hull who is from New Orleans. Having someone familiar with the New Orleans area was a big factor to Lee.

“It was very important to know there is someone who comes from New Orleans because it is tough,” Lee said. “Some coaches end their careers as high school coaches here in New Orleans but not coach Hull. He is a great high school coach and will be a great college coach. He is like a father. We stay in communication every day."

During the visit to Lawrence, Lee said he was impressed with the facilities and dorms. He had an opportunity to sit down and visit with Beaty in his office.

“He was a real and he told me right away how he felt about me,” Lee said of Beaty. “When I looked into his eyes I could tell there was a lot of trust. I know if I go to Kansas he will have my back.”

Lee is rated a four-star corner and took home an MVP Award at the Rivals.com New Orleans camp. Several schools including Texas, Texas A&M, Georgia, Tennessee, Missouri, Miami (FL), Arizona State, Texas Tech and several others offered him a scholarship.

He had a long list of suitors and his commitment might have surprised the Kansas coaches.

“They were surprised and so happy,” Lee said. “I am the top athlete in New Orleans and I think it kind of shocked them that I committed so early. They said I was physical and I like to compete. They told me they liked everything about my game. Coach Hull told me I am one of a kind.”

Lee announced his decision on Twitter at 10:30 p.m. Thursday night and said it felt good.

“I feel very excited about the decision I made,” he said.