Jayhawks get a big signing with Malcolm Lee

The recruiting picture for Kansas and Malcolm Lee had to come together fast. Once defensive coordinator DJ Eliot was hired, he reached out to Lee right away.

The three-star defensive end from Iowa Western had a strong list of offers.

“I didn’t know what to expect from Kansas,” Lee said. “Coach Eliot called me and told me he wanted me to visit and then gave me an offer.”

Last weekend Lee took his official visit to Kansas and got to know the staff better. He spent more time around Eliot and defensive line coach Kwahn Drake.

“I only knew them for a few days,” he said. “I've only heard great things about them. We talked about scheme and technique. They seem to know their stuff and I feel that they care. That was something that I can really appreciate.”

At 6-foot-5, 265 pounds Lee can fit into the defensive scheme Eliot will run. There were a lot of things that attracted the staff to Lee’s ability.

“They told me I had a good mix of speed and power,” he said. “I think that's the biggest thing and they also liked my length and my frame. They said I had good explosion and good hands. Those are the things that they pointed out to me.”

One of the big selling points during the visit came when Lee got a one-on-one meeting with Kansas head coach Les Miles.

“It was it was really weird,” Lee said. “I mean growing up watching college football, and being a really big fan of football, I never imagined there would be a day I’d be sitting in the same room in a conversation with Les Miles.

“It is really surreal and I mean it's like meeting a celebrity. He seems like a great guy and I can’t wait to play for him.”

Signing with the Jayhawks puts an end to a long process for Lee. He had early offers from schools like Iowa, Houston, Central Florida, Iowa State, and several others.

“It is a big weight off my shoulders,” Lee said. “I've been going through the recruiting process out of high school and through juco for over a year. It's finally over and I have a home. I don't have to worry about who's paying for my tuition or where my next meal is coming from. It feels really good. It's a lot of stress off of me, and my family.”

Lee will finish at Iowa Western next semester and report to Lawrence in June. He is rated among the nation’s Top 50 junior college players in the latest Rivals.com rankings.