July Player Performance Index top 30 deep dive: No. 5 C Matt Lee

CaneSport is breaking down the top 30 Miami players on the roster, and today we’re at No. 5, center Matt Lee.

THE BIG PICTURE

Matt Lee’s arrival at Miami as a transfer from UCF precipitated the departure of multi-year starting center Jakai Clark in the transfer portal. Clark was out-physicaled too often at the point of attack; Lee’s addition should fix that issue. Lee started for two years at UCF and he showed this spring why he can be a major part of the Hurricanes’ offense – he earned comparisons to KC Jones with his grit and all-out effort every single rep. Lee is part of a reshaped offensive line that will have four new starters compared to the Game 1 OL of 2022, with the lone holdover expected to be Jalen Rivers. Along with Rivers and Lee, Alabama transfer Javion Cohen will start at left guard, 5-star signee Francis Mauigoa is expected to start at right tackle, and depending on the progress of 5-star signee LT Samson Okunlola, it could be Rivers or Anez Cooper at right guard. So the line should be a lot better than the one that finished ranked No. 108 in the nation in sacks allowed a year ago with Miami also ranking No. 95 in rushing offense.

THE ANALYSIS

Lee is the nation’s top returning center grades-wise per Pro Football Focus at 82.5 overall (the No. 2 center on the list was West Virginia’s Zach Frazier at 80.8 followed by Michigan’s Drake Nugent). Lee steps into an immediate starting role at Miami, with the position struggling with Jakai Clark (a four-year starter) not the strongest/most physical guy in the middle. Lee has strength, smarts and experience – he started the last two years at UCF and has a reputation as a very hard worker. A closer look at his PFF grades: Last year he was at an elite 90.6 pass blocking level with a very strong 80.6 run blocking grade and played 1,059 reps (note that 70 is considered a good grade). He also graded out at 75.6 in 705 reps in 2021 (81.7 pass blocking, 70.8 run blocking). He’s a huge upgrade in the middle of Miami’s line and there really should be no issues up the middle for the Canes.

THE PROJECTION

Lee is a nice upgrade at center as part of a rebuilt line that is looking to do big things in a new offensive system after a subpar 2022 season. Lee is a difference-maker and leader who demands the most out of his teammates. The biggest question marks on the line will be at tackle, where there will either be true freshmen (Samson Okunlola, Francis Mauigoa), oft-injured Zion Nelson or Jalen Rivers, who is probably best suited at guard. The interior line will be very, very good.

THE JUMP HE NEEDS FROM SPRING TO FALL CAMP

Rivers had a strong spring and has shown ability both as a run and pass blocker. His physical attitude also is catching, and Miami needs that to be the case after the OL was pushed around far too often a year ago. About the only question with Lee is how he’ll adapt to a much tougher level of opponent – at UCF last year the toughest games were vs. Louisville, Cincinnati, Memphis, Tulane and Duke. But he’s No. 5 on this list for a reason. We think he’ll be a top performer for Miami and Shannon Dawson and help keep the offense moving the chains.

THE QUOTE

“When I came in it was when Francis (Mauigoa) and Samson (Okunlola) came in. Still outside of them there are 7, 8, 9 guys you can throw in that have the mental and physical side to go perform. … Outside of them me and Javion (Cohen) and Jalen (Rivers) and Anez (Cooper) and Zion (Nelson) with his injury trying to come back – it’s a deep, talented room that we can have success all year with.” –Matt Lee

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