BonnerSprings.com

Throughout his career at Bonner Springs High School, L.T. Lee was known as a no excuses guy, so it should be no surprise that Lee refused to sit back and feel sorry for himself after suffering an arm injury early in his freshman season of football at Missouri State University.

Instead, Lee viewed it as an opportunity and vowed to take full advantage.

Lee had been expected to play as a true freshman at MSU, but he suffered a torn labrum in his right arm on the last day of preseason camp in the fall of last season. The injury forced him to take a redshirt, sidelining him from any game action but still allowing him to have four years of college eligibility after the season.

The 6-foot-1, 203-pound safety spent the rest of the season paying close attention to the Bears’ upperclassmen and took careful notes.

“Redshirting gave me the opportunity to sit back and watch older players and see how they adjust to what other teams throw at them,” Lee said. “It was an opportunity for me to learn, and I think it was a good opportunity. I think it will really help me out. It will boost my confidence and help me be more confident (this year).”

After a year of close observation — as well as exhaustive rehabilitation that has his right arm feeling stronger than before the injury, Lee is ready to turn those lessons learned into positive results on the football field.

He returned to campus on Wednesday, Aug. 5, to prepare for practice. He’s eager to get to work.

“I’m very excited for this season,” he said. “I wanted to play so bad last year, and now I finally get my chance to show the coaches what I’ve got.”

Even though he spent much of his first year at MSU rehabbing his injury, he had plenty of time to study the Bears’ playbook. He knows the defenses, and he knows what’s expected.

He also knows that he will be given an opportunity to prove he belongs on the field.

“I’m definitely going to be on all four special teams, because (the coaches) said they need me there,” Lee said. “Depth-wise on the secondary, I’ll be second string for sure. Our defensive coach stated that he really wanted us to rotate this year, he wanted everybody to be in there and be fresh, so hopefully I’ll get some playing time in the secondary.

“Our secondary … we’re really competitive with each other. Anybody’s slot can be taken at any time because we’re so competitive and everybody’s working hard.”

Lee has additional motivation to work hard. The Bears have a marquee matchup to start the season when they travel to Arkansas.

“I can’t wait to go out into that big-time environment and that big stadium and experience it,” Lee said. “I’m so thankful that I get to experience it, because not many people get to do that. It’s big-time, but you can’t be scared. You’ve got to go in there and just play, and that’s what I plan on doing.”

When not playing football, Lee spends plenty of time hitting the books to keep his grades up. He admitted he struggled during his first semester while adjusting to college life and the demands of college athletics, but he said his time management skills improved throughout the year.

His favorite freshman class was public speaking.

“We didn’t really have a large class. We had about 15 people, and it was just good going up there and speaking and building topics,” he said. “It was a good experience because I don’t like talking in front of a lot of people, so it helped me to do that. I really enjoyed that class.”

Even though he has learned to manage his time better, he said he didn’t think he’d have time to take on another sport — track — if the opportunity arose. Not that he wouldn’t want to. After all, he did help Bonner Springs set the Class 5A state record in the 400-meter relay as a senior.

“Football and school are enough for me,” he said with a laugh. “Unfortunately we don’t have a men’s (track) team, only women’s, but if we did I’d love to run the 4X100 (relay) again. It does cross my mind because I’d love to run it again, but I’m thankful with what I have playing football, so I’ll just stick with that.”

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