MOBILE, Ala. – After a standout high school in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, he didn't go far to college, ending up at Baylor, where he redshirted as a freshman before playing four productive seasons for the Bears.
Now, he's got a role model he looks up to on the Cowboys' receiving corps.
That could be the description for Terrance Williams, who played at W.T. White in Dallas before a record-setting career at Baylor and now three seasons with the Cowboys, where he works with Dez Bryant, trying to become one of the NFL's best young receivers.
But that path is a similar route for Jay Lee, who just finished up his five years at Baylor, following a stellar prep career at nearby Allen.
Lee and Williams crossed over in Waco for two seasons from 2011-12 but that was plenty of time for Lee to form a bond that he says is stronger today than before.
"He's like my older brother," Lee said. "He's always been there for me. He took me under his wing when I got there, just like some of the other guys did to him. It's always been a family down (at Baylor) and even though guys leave for the NFL or whatever, it's still a family. Terrance always gives me good advice."
Before Lee left for Mobile this week at the Senior Bowl, Williams, who also played for the South team in 2013, gave his former college teammate some advice.
"He just said to make the most of the week," Lee said. "He told me that the practices can be even more important than the games because you never know how much playing time you'll get. But all the teams are watching practice and you just have to make the most out of each rep."
It seems like Lee got the message.
For three days of practice here in Mobile, Lee has turned a few heads, with his catching ability, his route-running, and even his strength.
One Cowboys' scout said he was impressed with "his size and the way he gets the ball. He's more physical than I thought he was."
Baylor sent five coaches to Mobile on Thursday to check out Lee and three other former Bears in the game. Head coach Art Briles was one of them and seemed to provide some inspiration for Lee, who easily had his best practice of the week – catching just about every throw his way, including a couple of red-zone catches in the 1-on-1 drills.
"He can play big and use his size if gets down there," Briles said of Lee, who caught 38 passes for 758 yards and eight touchdowns last year as a senior. Lee was considered Baylor's third receiver behind Biletnikoff Award winner Corey Coleman and K.D. Cannon. Lee's 19.95 yards per catch ranked 13th among all NCAA receivers.
While it might be a stretch for Lee to follow Williams' footsteps as a third-round pick, he is just hoping to land to a spot where he can have similar production.
"I've just tried to show teams that I can be a complete receiver," Lee said. "Over the middle, or red-zone or stretching the field, I can do whatever they need. I think I've had a good week. I hope to play well in the game Saturday."
