STARKVILLE — There’s nothing about Dontavian Lee that screams “Other guy.”
But within the parameters of Mississippi State’s 2014 recruiting class, particularly at running back, that’s exactly the role Lee found himself in.
Aeris Williams, the 2013 Mr. Football recipient and decorated running back from West Point, was the headliner, a four-star recruit from just up the highway who ran for more than 2,100 yards as a high school senior.
Then there was Lee. A 6-foot-1, 220-pound tailback out of Forrest County Agricultural High, Lee flew under the radar for most recruiting services and arrived in Starkville without the fanfare of Williams.
But midway through their first spring practice at MSU, one thing is becoming clear: Lee is a headliner, too.
Lee, who redshirted along with Williams in 2014, has been growing in confidence and reps during MSU’s spring practice, rising as far as second-string behind probable starter Ashton Shumpert at MSU’s Saturday afternoon practice over the weekend.
To Lee, though, there is no competition with Williams. Instead, it’s purely a team effort.
“That’s my guy,” said Lee with a smile. “We’ve been through everything together. We redshirted together and we are learning, and everything he is going through, I’m going through it too. We can’t wait to get out on the field together and make our names. There is a little competition to which one of us gets out there first, but it’s all in fun.”
While Williams arrived with plenty of accolades in tow, Lee also accomplished plenty at the high school level, where he helped the Aggies claim the 2013 Class 4A state championship by rushing for 1,590 yards and 13 touchdowns as a senior.
In tandem with Williams, Lee has impressed plenty of observers in Starkville.
“Those guys, I feel like I had a hand in raising them up,” said former MSU tailback Nick Griffin, a senior in 2014. “They both bring a lot to the table. (Lee), he’s big and physical. He’s the kind of back who will run between the tackles. He’s only going to get bigger, too.”
In fact, that’s exactly what Lee is doing.
Listed at 220 pounds in MSU’s media guide, Lee insists he has added “15 or 20 pounds” since last fall.
“It looks like more because it’s all lean muscle but I’m just over 230,” said Lee.
With that added bulk, Lee brings an element of physicality to MSU’s backfield behind the equally bruising Shumpert and quarterback Dak Prescott, no pushover himself.
“Those guys look great,” said Prescott of Williams and Lee. “I think they call themselves Thunder and Lightning, but I don’t know which is which, you’d have to ask them.
“They are doing all the right things, working hard and learning every single day. They’ve both got a lot of talent.”
Talent is what it will take to earn a spot in the MSU backfield. With junior Josh Robinson, who rushed for a team-best 1,203 yards last season, declaring for the NFL Draft, the opportunity for carries has arisen for Lee and Williams. Shumpert and junior Brandon Holloway are entrenched and likely to inherit some of Robinson’s workload, but the opportunity is there for both Williams and Lee.
“I am definitely ready for that opportunity,” said Lee. “We have a lot of great backs on this team so the only way to get out there is to earn it. We are both working hard, both pushing each other.”
MSU coach Dan Mullen has noticed, too.
“Those guys are right where they need to be,” said Mullen. “This is a development program, a learning program and both guys are out here competing for everything. You want to see that from your young players.”
Follow Dispatch sports writer Brandon Walker on Twitter @BWonStateBeat
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