NFL Draft Prospects Who Must Step Up In Week 4
Aug 30, 2014; College Park, MD, USA; James Madison Dukes quarterback Vad Lee (2) is pressured by Maryland Terrapins linebacker L.A. Goree (53) at Byrd Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mitch Stringer-USA TODAY Sports
Vad Lee (QB – James Madison) vs. SMU
Since SMU is the only FBS opponent on James Madison’s schedule, scouts will be paying close attention to the school’s top prospects. The most likely to be drafted? That would be senior quarterback Vad Lee.
His name may sound familiar as Lee was the starting quarterback at Georgia Tech during the 2012 and 2013 seasons. There’s a perception that Georgia Tech quarterbacks can only run the option, but that’s far from the case with Lee. Last season he set school records for the most attempts, completions, passing yards and touchdowns.
When the Dukes faced an FBS opponent (Maryland) last season, the entire team struggled. Lee threw for just 141 yards and two interceptions in a 52-7 loss. There is reason to believe he’ll perform much better this time around. James Madison is ranked eighth in the FCS Coaches Poll and average 51 points per game. Their opponent, SMU, has allowed 56 points in two games already this year. Both Trevone Boykin of TCU and Seth Russell of Baylor picked apart the SMU secondary.
If Vad Lee can put up numbers even half as impressive as Boykin and Russell, his draft stock will rise. For a prospect who is likely on the outside of the draft looking in, a strong showing against an FBS team is exactly what he needs.