Listen to senior quarterback Jarrett Lee talk to the media, and you begin to hear the same phrases over and over.
He speaks in clichés, answering questions with insight as deep as a kiddie pool. He frustrates reporters with his repetitive responses, almost as if he’s shielding himself from the scrutiny that has followed his career.
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But that’s how Lee has always handled himself. He’s experienced the highest highs and lowest lows, but never has he appeared to let the criticism affect him.
“It’s been tough,” Lee admits, “but we’re winning ball games, and that’s what’s important. I’m still getting a lot of mental reps. I’m prepared for whenever my opportunity comes, whenever my number is called.”
That team-first attitude is encapsulates Lee. When he arrived at LSU in 2007, he was quiet and goofy, he couldn’t throw or run, according to senior guard Will Blackwell. But according to Lee’s longtime friend, that has changed.
“Guys look to Jarrett when they’re down or when they need to do something, and he’s always been there for them,” Blackwell said. “Regardless of his situation and the things that have happened to him, he’s always been a great teammate. That’s always something I’ll remember about Jarrett Lee.”
When Lee was prematurely forced onto the field in 2008 following former quarterback Ryan Perrilloux’s dismissal, he hardly shined under the bright lights of Tiger Stadium. He threw 14 interceptions as a redshirt freshman and he received the fans’ boos more often than he received their cheers.
Once Jordan Jefferson assumed the starting position by the end of the season, few expected to see much more of Lee under center. He did play sparingly the following year, but failed to show the promise many had expected of the four-star recruit.
In 2010, he saw more playing time, splitting time with Jefferson, but statistically, it was more of the same. He played in 12 games that season, but only threw two touchdowns.
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When he was thrust into the starting position again following Jefferson’s suspension before the start of this season, few believed he would deliver. But Lee never lost faith in himself.
“I’ve always considered myself the number one guy, in practice or in games, preparing like I’m the number one guy,” Lee said. “I think that only helps you going into games.”
Lee embraced that opportunity and surprised many with his consistent performance early in the season. He threw only one interception in the first eight games and won over many of the fans that had once shivered at the thought of him starting again.
A Facebook page has even been started titled “Thank you, Jarrett” that has more than 1,000 members, with people posting well wishes to the Tiger quarterback.
But even though Jefferson has once again supplanted Lee as the starter, he appears unfazed by reassuming the backup role. When prodded by reporters to share some glimpse into his emotional state, Lee responds the only way he knows how – with another cliché.
“The coaches are going to do what’s best for the team,” Lee said. “You have to go with that.”
 
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Contact Hunter Paniagua at [email protected]