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Saying that a player has all the intangibles is usually a kind but backhanded compliment to the extent that if there were other (read: better) things to say about the man, then you would say those things.
But Qushaun Lee definitely does have all the intangibles in the world. He has all the heart, courage, hustle and dedication that make a great vocal leader. Oh, and he is also at the heart of most of a defense's tackles.
#QLee RT @SunBelt: Qushaun Lee of @AStateRedWolves flexed his way to Sun Belt Preseason Defensive Player of the Year! pic.twitter.com/kAhBhF9KVE
— weHOWL (@weHOWL) July 31, 2014
Pros
Lee has the benefit of going as Q, a stellar nickname that doubles as a bad pun: the question for opponents is how to avoid Lee's part of the field. The redshirt senior has been productive on the field for the Red Wolves during his entire career, amassing at least 100 tackles in the last three years he has played—his haul of 134 in the 2013 season led the Sun Belt Conference and was the 12th highest in the FBS. He finishes with the fourth most career tackles in the Sun Belt since 2005. Lee has a high motor and is a sure tackler who has little to no regard for his safety. Both a gift and a curse, if you will.
"Cajuns take note of #AStateFB's Qushaun Lee" http://t.co/pLY341L6We pic.twitter.com/HHO9LdpjTl
— Kara Richey (@Kara_Richey) October 21, 2014
Cons
Listed at 5'11" and 225, Lee is on the lighter and shorter side of the prototypical NFL linebacker. The 22-year-old was also part of an A-State run defense that completely imploded over the second half of this past season—it's not fair to blame him for it, but it's not right either to let him escape unscathed. Then again, Lee sure did do his part as the walls around him crumbled. Just when his teammates couldn't remember how to tackle a running back, Lee had 11, 11, 11 and 14 tackles in his last four games. Arkansas State lost three of those games, yes, but shut up.
Conclusion
The ever-reliable source that is YouTube paints a clear picture of what Lee's NFL future would look like. Search his name on the platform and the first video is Lee's highlights at the 2015 GoDaddy Bowl game. The second and third? They're titled "Nasty tackle" and "ASU hit vs Alcorn."
The native of Prattville, AL, will have to hit his way to the top in the NFL, likely starting on special teams. He's found a way to adjust and contribute in Jonesboro, maybe he will in the NFL too.