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QB Lee Leaving FSU For NFL Draft

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By SCOTT CARTER, The Tampa Tribune

Published: January 14, 2008

TALLAHASSEE - Quarterback Xavier Lee's disappointing career at Florida State is over.

School officials confirmed Friday that Lee, who was on campus and working out with his teammates, had not yet enrolled in classes for the spring semester. According to Lee's father, Willie Lee, his son is leaving FSU and entering the NFL draft.

"What else is he going to do - sit around there and watch other kids go ahead of him?" Willie Lee told The Orlando Sentinel on Sunday.

Lee, after leaving Daytona Beach Seabreeze as the state's all-time prep passing leader, arrived at FSU in 2004 in the same recruiting class as former Land O' Lakes star Drew Weatherford. Both redshirted their freshman seasons, but Weatherford beat out Lee for the starting job in 2005.

Lee made three starts as a sophomore and three more last season, but despite a stronger arm and more athleticism than Weatherford, Lee was never able to keep the job. Lee's career highlight came Sept. 29 in Jacksonville when he came off the bench to replace Weatherford and led the Noles to a 21-14 victory against Alabama.

Lee started the next three games, but he lost the job after fumbling twice and throwing two interceptions in a 37-29 loss to Miami in his final game for the Noles. Lee later served a two-game suspension for skipping excessive classes and was ruled academically ineligible for the Music City Bowl, igniting speculation he was leaving school. FSU was interested in Lee moving to tight end if he returned to school.

Reporter Scott Carter can be reached at (850) 294-3088 or scarter@tampatrib.com.

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