Lee all set for Army Bowl

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BUFORD, Ga., -- Buford might be a small school nestled in the outskirts of Atlanta but it's a place that has dominated in football statewide and nationally for over a decade, racking up eight state titles and producing 53 college signees since 2000 and multiple NFL players.

Needless to say Buford knows how to run a football program, and now it has one more accolade to add to its growing list of accomplishments - a U.S. Army All-American.

"I didn't even expect to be selected," professed Dillon Lee, a four-star linebacker committed to Alabama.

The 6-foot-4, 228-pounder had no problem committing to Alabama back in May but did seem to have some trouble when it came down to which All-American game he would play in.

"Eric Richards called me and told me I was invited to the Army All-American game but I was already committed the Under Amour All-American," Lee said. "But he said he wanted to show me everything that would be going on with the Army game and that it would be a great opportunity, and that no one from Gwinnett County had been invited in quite awhile."

On Saturday, Lee formally accepted his Army All-American Bowl bid in a ceremony at the Buford Sports Complex, where he was presented with his jersey for the game.

Lee isn't the first in his family to attend an All-American game. His brother Dallas, who now plays for the Georgia Bulldogs, had the honor of competing in the Under Armor All- American game

"He said he was happy for me, and that he remembered he had a lot of fun at his," Lee said. "He also told me to be ready because the best players in nation would be there ready to play."

Lee's family members aren't the only ones excited about his invitation to the Army All-American Bowl; his teammates are also thrilled with the honor.

"It's special that he got this -- we can't wait to watch him," said Donte Gordon, who plays for Buford. "He's a dynamic player. Anytime he needs to make a play he's there."

Lee will join other great Peach State prospects out on the field in January in San Antonio, such as linebacker Raphael Kirby of Stone Mountain Stephenson, linebacker Ukeme Eligwe of Stone Mountain, and soon-to-be-college-teammate Geno Smith, a defensive back from Atlanta St. Pius.

"I'm excited just to see all the talent that will be out there and who I get to play with when I get there," Lee said.

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