Teams in need of an experienced center will certainly be calling former UCF OL Matt Lee after he made his intentions clear to enter the transfer portal at the turn of the year. Lee, a three-year starter for the Knights, enters the portal after a career year.
Matt Lee Enters Transfer Portal
Following a disappointing end to the 2022 season for UCF, the Knights will be without their starting center of the past three seasons after Lee announced his decision to enter the transfer portal. The team’s leader in the middle since 2020 started 36 career games over the past three seasons.
Lee is a big man in the middle, a powerful blocker who tips the scales at 6’4″ and 295 pounds. Listed as a redshirt junior this past fall, the Central Florida native will have two years of eligibility remaining at his next destination.
MORE: NCAA Transfer Portal Tracker
The Knights featured one of the nation’s top offenses in 2022, thanks largely to Lee and the offensive line. A veteran unit guided by Lee, UCF averaged 228.4 yards on the ground per game, the ninth most in the country this season.
Lee is a big-time prospect to hit the portal and should garner a bevy of interest. In recent seasons, not very many notable centers have taken to the portal, but one specifically comes to mind in Michigan’s Olusegun Oluwatimi.
As he could likely put himself in a great position to vault his next-level prospects, Lee is likely to land at a program that utilizes his well-rounded skills on the biggest stage.
Though his transfer destination is open for now, it should be stated that he and former UCF QB Mikey Keene had a great bond when together in the lineup, and Keene ended up at Fresno State. However, the Bulldogs have long-time starter, Bula Schmidt, on the roster for 2023 at the position, and unless either center kicks to guard, that destination seems unlikely.
No matter where he lands, Lee’s veteran leadership skills and on-field ability will go a long way toward propelling his next school forward.
