‘Staying home’
- Updated: June 10, 2025
Jacksonville Christian 3-star quarterback Lee announces commitment to Jax State via social media. Oxford’s Britt, Taylor and Wynn also commit.
By Joe Medley
East Alabama Sports Today
JACKSONVILLE — Noah Lee, who emerged as a three-star quarterback prospect while playing eight-man football at Jacksonville Christian, announced Tuesday his commitment to play for Jacksonville State.
Lee announced his decision with an Instagram post entitled, “Staying home.”
Lee, set to enter his senior year with the Thunder, said he chose Jax State over offers from East Carolina, South Alabama, Marshall, Arkansas State, Southern Miss, Samford, Murray State and North Alabama.
He’s the latest in a spate of commitments from area players this week, Oxford wide receiver Jaylin Taylor committed to Marshall via social media. Oxford’s Keenan Britt firmed his commitment to South Carolina with a post that read, “Recruitment shutdown,” and Oxford running back Caleb Wynn committed to South Alabama.
Lee has spent his life around Jax State football. His dad, Steven Lee, played for the Gamecocks, and the younger Lee counts former Jax State quarterback Eli Jenkins as one of his mentors.
Jenkins texted after Lee announced his commitment: “You were born in it.”
Jenkins played for Jax State during its best years in FCS, setting records while leading the Gamecocks to the 2015 FCS title game.
“He was really the first one to tell me I needed to play quarterback, whenever I was young and throwing on the sideline with him at JSU,” Lee said. “Just being around him, and he trained me some, and it just kind of lit a spark.”
Lee has attended several Jax State games over the years but made his official visit this past weekend. He spoke with Jax State offensive coordinator Clint Trickett and got a good vibe about how he would fit into the Gamecocks’ offense under new head coach Charles Kelly.
“He showed me kind of similarities in how I play and how I fit the offense,” Lee said. “Meeting with the strength and conditioning coach and the staff and seeing how they’re all going towards the same goal, and they all have my best interests in common.
“Hearing Coach Kelly just talk about how he wants to develop the attitude that his players have about their careers, and develop you as a person in every way, it just seemed like a great fit.”
As Lee narrowed the choices, his focus narrowed closer and closer to home.
“I just kept thinking about how, ‘Man, I grew up a JSU fan and went to all of the games, and dad played there, and the program just keeps getting bigger and better, and I just kept hoping that door stays open,” he said. “As it got closer to time, I felt like God was giving me peace about it. Everything I thought about it was pointing toward them. …
“Just being able to stay close to home and all of the people I know and love around here is a special thing.”
As for other commitment announcements this week, Taylor chose Marshall over offers from Jax State, West Georgia, Navy, Georgia State, Wofford, Memphis, Samford and Charlotte, Arkansas State, Cincinnati, East Tennessee, Eastern Kentucky, Georgia Southern, Kennesaw State, Liberty, Miami (Ohio), North Alabama, South Alabama, Southern Miss, Troy, Western Kentucky, Louisville and UAB.
Britt chose South Carolina over reported offers from Florida, Mississippi State, Oklahoma State, South Florida, West Virginia, Arkansas, Auburn, Georgia Tech, Jacksonville State, Liberty, Louisville, North Alabama, Ole Miss, Oregon, Tennessee, Troy, Tulane, UAB, Central Florida, Vanderbilt and West Georgia.
Wynn chose South Alabama over reported offers from Arkansas State, Austin Peay, Boston College, Kennesaw State, North Alabama, Samford, Southern Miss, Tennessee Tech and Western Kentucky.
You must be logged in to post a comment Login