Kwajaylen Lee likes to announce his presence with authority. As the quarterback for Jane Macon Middle School in Brunswick last season, Lee was one of several middle school players from across southeast Georgia who got the chance to play on the turf at Chris Gilman Stadium in Camden County. Jane Macon Middle School faced St. Mary’s Middle School to start their season, and Lee opened his middle school career by throwing a 75-yard bomb for a touchdown on his first play. “It was a perfect throw; dropped right over his outside shoulder,” Lee said. Spectators who arrived early enough to see it say the strong-armed quarterback threw the ball 50 yards in the air on the opening play. This season, Lee will be an eighth grader for Coach Keith Reddings’ Eagles. At 5’8″ 145-pounds, Lee is still growing.
A strong two-sport athlete, last season as a seventh-grader Lee was voted the Most Valuable Player on the football and basketball teams, both of which were region champions. In the basketball final, Lee managed to play although he was suffering from the flu. He led the game in scoring and hit two free throws to secure the victory while running a fever. In the off season, he played AAU basketball and was given the “Hustle” award for the Brunswick Kings. “He also learns from his mistakes, which is a remarkable trait for a middle school athlete,” Coach Reddings said. When it comes to football, Lee enjoys playing quarterback because it allows him to lead his team from the front. “Commanding my offense. Plain and simple.” Like many sports stand-outs, Lee picked up a ball as soon as he could walk. He went on to play football and basketball at the recreation department and then progressed into middle school.
In their first home game of the season, Jane Macon faced St. Mary’s Middle; Lee scored his first touchdown on a 35-yard scamper to set the stage for a championship season. Later in the year came one of the most epic games to ever be played in Glynn County. The Eagles faced off against Risley Middle School in a two day battle royale that went back and forth. It eventually went to eight overtime periods, before Jane Macon Middle won 52-48. “We kept going back and forth scoring touchdowns,” Lee said. “The game was intense; it lasted so long we had to finish it the next day.” The two teams later met in the championship game, which the Eagles won 8-0.
His plans are to continue playing in high school. “Absolutely! I will be the starting quarterback at Brunswick High,” Lee said hoping to follow in the footsteps of cousin, Reshard Lee who led the Brunswick Pirates to the state championship game in 1999, before becoming an NFL running back. Even when he is not on the practice field, Lee is at home focusing on football. “I grind. I go home and work on my game. I like to watch football and throw routes with my brother.” He also likes to watch football and discusses it at length with his mentor, former Brunswick High standout, Bryan Yancey, about plays and why things happen on the field. The strongest part of his game may be that he is a student of the sport he plays; watching college and pro athletes and emulating what they do.
He got a brush with fame on New Year’s Day 2014, when he went to the Gator Bowl in Jacksonville to see Georgia take on Nebraska. The highlight of the night, however, came when Lee got the chance to meet UGA running back and future NFL star, Todd Gurley.
His ultimate sports dream would be to get a scholarship to FSU playing quarterback then to be drafted in the first round by the Carolina Panthers. The son of Marica Lee, his favorite school subject is math, which is fitting for a young man who endeavors to become an engineer. “I like the process of building things,” Lee said. He credits his mom for encouraging him and teaching him discipline. “She makes me go to practice even when I don’t feel like it, because she says I’ve made a commitment to my team and I can never let them down.” Coaches say Lee is an incredible athlete for his age; he often does things that amaze them: Throwing passes it takes college and pro quarterbacks years to perfect. Likewise in basketball, he makes shots that are usually accomplished by players much older.
“I believe he can write his own ticket,” Coach Reddings said. “I can see him playing major college football and with some hard work and dedication perhaps get an opportunity to play on Sundays.”
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Starting Off With a Bang
Written by Rob Asbell
Photo by Michael Brinson
