Auburn cornerback Kayin Lee 'wants to be great' according to Wesley McGriff
AUBURN — When it was all said and done, Cedar Grove, Ga. cornerback Kayin Lee was the second-highest ranked prospect in Auburn’s most recent signing class. Lee ranked No. 126 overall in the On3 Sports Consensus rankings, trailing only top-100 prospect Keldric Faulk in the Tigers’ signing class.
Lee didn’t commit to Auburn until December 21, flipping from a previous pledge to Ohio State. And while Auburn’s defensive back class returns a veteran group of players like Nehemiah Pritchett, Jaylin Simpson, Donovan Kaufman, Keionte Scott and Zion Puckett, Lee is doing his part to try and work himself onto the field this fall.
“Kayin Lee is doing a great job. He’s in spring ball making plays,” McGriff said. “The thing that’s most impressive about him, we know he’s talented, but off the field. He will not leave the building if he doesn’t understand the coverage. He’ll knock on the door and say, ‘coach, I don’t understand this coverage.’ He has his notebook and as soon as he sits down, he pulls it out and starts taking notes.”
Not all freshmen share those personality traits, but Kayin Lee apparently does.
“He wants to be great,” McGriff said. “He has the attitude and demeanor to be great. You can see it translate over to the field. He’s making plays and has confidence. The biggest thing is, don’t put too much on his plate. He’s doing great. He will have an impact on this team and this program.”
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Auburn is hoping that impact happens sooner rather than later.
“We know we’re counting on him,” defensive backs coach Zac Etheridge said. “For him to learn the playbook a semester early — for him, it’s new. It’s a fast-paced practice. He’s learning on the fly. He’s been good at coming up and spending extra time in the film room. For him, he’s going to be a part of our defense that we’re counted on. He’s learning and eager to learn. This team is counting on him.”
The On3 Sports Scouting Analysis says this of Lee:
Highly instinctive cornerback who is one of the more productive and accomplished defensive prospects in the state of Georgia. Has some of the best ball production among defensive backs in the 2023 cycle. Picked off seven passes while helping his team to a state title as a junior. A savvy, instinctive corner who reads quarterbacks and breaks on the ball. Capable of recognizing route patterns. Freelances off of his man to make plays. Has a thinner frame at around 5-foot-11, 170 pounds, but plays above his weight as a run and cover down defender. Strikes and drives through ball carriers. Lacks some high-end measurable for the position with a thinner build and solid, but not great athleticism for the position.
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Spring practice schedule:
The Tigers will practice every Monday, Wednesday and Friday for the most part leading into the April 8 spring game inside Jordan-Hare Stadium. Here’s the schedule of practices: February 27, March 1, 3, 13, 15, 17, 20, 22, 24, 27, 29, April 3, 5, 7 and 8. Auburn took the week of March 5-11 off for spring break.
