As a true freshman, a quarterback named Jarrett Lee would enter LSU’s campus. He was thrust into splitting time with another quarterback named Andrew Hatch. It wasn’t until a night in Jordan-Hare Stadium that Jarrett Lee was given full control over the offense. On one of his first series, he threw an interception to an Auburn defender for a touchdown. Lee then fought back in the second half, throwing an amazing touchdown pass to wide receiver Brandon LaFell with a minute remaining in the game. LSU would go on to win the game 26-21 over Auburn. Lee had won the approval of Tiger nation, and his future looked bright…. well for that brief moment.
Things weren’t easy for Lee after that game. As quickly as he was considered a hero, fans were calling for his head a few weeks later. The true freshman was struggling, and his numbers were showing it. Lee was 4-3 as a starter throwing 16 interceptions, 7 of which turned into six points for the opposing team. The cheers for the freshman quickly turned into boos and jeers. Most Tiger faithful believed another freshman quarterback, named Jordan Jefferson, was the answer to the team’s problems. During a game against Ole Miss, Jarrett Lee went down. He was escorted off the field and heard the crowd thunder with the sound of applause and screams. This was not out of support for Lee who had just been injured, but the sound of excitement because quarterback Jordan Jefferson was walking onto the field.
Now imagine this moment through the perspective of Jarrett Lee. You are an 18 year old who has just put it all out on the football field. After everything you have given to this program, you are led off the field injured. The crowd has practically booed you the entire season, but a guy that hasn’t hit the field gets more applause than you have gotten combined over the course of seven games. How low must this kid have been?
Over the course of a year Lee rode the bench. He came in at times, but threw for only a 40 percent completion rating. It was a tough year for Lee, but he still was continuing to grow. Lee was fighting through all of the negativity and becoming a better quarterback.
The start of the 2010 season was upon us and Jarrett Lee was now a junior. This is two seasons after being asked to lead a team through an SEC schedule as a true freshman. To stress what was expected of him, the last statement will be repeated: he was asked to lead a team through an SEC schedule as a true freshman. Lee wasn’t seeing much playing time as this season began, but instead witnessed what he had gone through during his freshman year. He has witnessed Jefferson, the guy that was cheered for while he was injured, get booed for the majority of this season. Lee has completed 68.8 percent of his passes, thrown for two touchdowns and only one interception. He has also been a big factor in wins over Tennessee and Florida. The stat that stands out most to LSU fans: he hasn’t thrown a pick six all season.
The question that is in the mind of most LSU fans: why hasn’t Lee gotten the opportunity to be the starter? He has obviously been more effective while on the field, so why haven’t the coaches given him the role as the starting quarterback? It seems like after all Lee has been through, it would be poetic justice for him to return to role as LSU’s starting quarterback.
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