2017 NFL Draft interview: Kansas State LB Elijah Lee

Kansas State linebacker Elijah Lee says the chance to help out his family helped make the decision to leave early for the NFL Draft.

With another year at Kansas State, Elijah Lee could have truly left his mark. While most players in Bill Snyder’s system have to redshirt for a year, Lee saw the field immediately after joining the Wildcats and earned Honorable Mention for Big 12 Defensive Freshman of the Year. This year, he was named First Team All Big 12, and next season he would have undoubtedly been among the favorites to be named Defensive Player of the Year. But there’s one force stronger than football for the St. Joseph native: family.

Lee says he was ready to leave college for the NFL one year early, because it provides him the ability to help his family now. He’s already earned plenty of accolades as is, but now it’s time to be paid for his efforts. It’s a chance to repay his mom for the support she’s given until now and to make his mark at the next level.

We recently caught up with Lee to talk to him about making the decision to enter the NFL, the emotions he’s feeling in the days before the draft, and what teams he’s hearing from the most.