This season has been an adventure for him, but he is starting to come into his own.
Before the year started, he would have been more than happy sitting behind and learning from Dylan Moses. After watching so many passionate leaders at middle linebacker, the Louisiana native was prepared to relish his moment as the next great one. Fans, coaches and players were very excited for Moses; however, sometimes things do not go according to the original plan.
The former five-star suffered a serious knee injury in fall camp.
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It would be diagnosed as season-ending and disappointment set in for Moses and the Crimson Tide fans, who were looking forward to watching him lead the defense.
Upon this happening, Nick Saban decided to turn to a true freshman. Hailing from Maryland, it had to be exciting and nerve-wrecking for Shane Lee to understand that he had to be the captain moving forward.
He’s had some ups and downs, but last week versus Mississippi State was by far his best performance of the year.
Lee got everyone into the right call and finished with 10 total tackles (team-high) in Alabama’s 38-7 victory.
The 6-foot, 246-pounder set the tone on the defense’s first possession, recording an interception off Tommy Stevens of the Bulldogs.
Despite not returning the takeaway for a touchdown, Lee set up Alabama’s offense with a scoring drive.
Aside from a few big runs from Stevens, the Tide stifled Mississippi State at Davis Wade Stadium in Starkville, Miss. With the opponents on the horizon being Western Carolina and Auburn, Lee’s outing could not have come at a better time.
During Tuesday’s media availability, Jared Mayden (senior safety) told reporters that Lee is ‘maturing’ as a play caller.
“From him kind of being all over the place when he was first announced as a starter, and at a young age — especially with an Alabama defense – it does take a while to learn,” Mayden said of Lee’s development. “I know I just play corner, star and safe try, so I know it took me every bit of two and half to three years and then to watch Minkah and the other guys go through it… And now you are telling me that a freshman linebacker has to not only get the coverages, but also make the defensive front changes… I know he was overwhelmed. The coaches helped him learn it and we helped him gain confidence in calling plays. Overall, he’s getting more mature.”
In reflecting back to Lee’s pick, Mayden said it calmed him down.
“That was big,” he said. “First drive out, you get an interception. Once you realize you can really play with everyone in this league, now you just get to the thinking part.”
Even in joking around with the freshman, Mayden did it out of love.
On his interception, Lee was tackled by Stevens and the Alabama safety did not want that.
“There is no way he should have gotten tackled,” Mayden said jokingly. “You are supposed to stiff arm a quarterback or something. You can’t get tackled by the quarterback.”
All in all, the main thing is Lee is growing as a player.
He is third on the roster in total tackles (63) and has 5.5 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, one forced fumble and one interception through 10 games.
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Stephen M. Smith is the managing editor and senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.
