DAPHNE, Ala. — Daphne's Eric Lee announced Wednesday that he has chosen to play defensive end for the University of South Florida Bulls. Lee had wittled down offers from more than 10 Division I schools,including Arkansas, Kansas, Kent State, Kentucky and Minnesota, before deciding to rush with the Bulls citing acadmics, style of play, and coaching staff.

“It’s just my kind of place,” he said. “And they want me to be ready to go at end right away when I get there. They play a real fast, exciting kind of football and I really like all the coaches and the campus. I didn’t want to go too far and it’s about seven hours away, but that will work and I like the business managenment information system program they have. That’s what I want to go into.”

He said most recruiters expressed interest in utilizing and further developing his quickness off the ball. At South Florida he added they want to try him at their stuff and fill DE as well as and the quick-rushing type on the opposite side.

“I think I can play both, but I think I'm more interested in the rushing type, but we’ll see. Whatever they need me to do, I’m there.”

Daphne head coach and athletic director Glenn Vickery said Lee's character, work ethic and attitude were even more impressive than his athletic skills on the field.

“Eric is just an outstanding young man on so many levels,” he said. “When you just watch him play, you see a very good football player with the size and ability to play at the next level. But when you get to know him and work with him like we do, you know what a good person he is, too, and how deserving he is of the opportunity. We’re proud of him. Daphne is proud of him and he’ll make South Florida proud, too.”

At 6-foot-4, 235-pounds, Lee had 11 tackles at Theodore last week in the Trojans 41-20 win over the Bobcats.