Breaking: Four-Star transfer breaks down his finalists, Bulldogs named favorites

Lee has a final eight and is planning to make his decision before his senior year.

Mission Viejo (Calif.) defensive back Dijon Lee has cut his list of schools down to eight.

Lee is one of the nation’s top defensive backs and is currently rated the No. 23 player nationally in the 247Sports Composite.

“These are the schools I have the best relationship with,” Lee said. “They have all been pursuing me hard for awhile and have made me feel like a priority and I’m going to try and get out and visit all of them if I can.”

The eight schools who made the cut for Lee include Arizona, Florida, Georgia, LSU, Oregon, Penn State, USC and Washington. He broke down what stands out about each of his finalists:

Arizona– “I’ve been to Arizona three times and they’re one of the schools on me the hardest. I would say I talk with them and Washington more than anywhere else. Mondo (Armond Hawkins, Assistant Director of Recruiting) was the first guy to offer me when he was at Colorado and then he picked things right up at Arizona. I love their DB coach, J Rich (John Richardson) as well. He’s a phenomenal coach and they always keep it real with me.”

Florida– “I’ve never been to Florida but I’m for sure going to get out there’s that’s going to happen. I’m talking with Will Harris (DB coach) a lot and he’s a good guy and knows what he’s doing. It’s cool, he already giving me pointers and coaching me up like I’m already on the team. I know he’s a SoCal guy so I’m excited to visit and see how I fit in there.”

Georgia– “I’m trying to visit January 12. I might have a 7v7 tournament so I’m not sure if I can get out there but I’m going to visit for sure at some point. My connection there with with Donte Williams (DB coach) and he has been my guy for a long time. We had a great relationship when he was at USC and then he offered right away at Georgia. I haven’t talked to anyone else on the staff yet but Donte told me everyone there is really excited about me and I really like their style and how they play defense.”

LSU– “My grandpa went to LSU so that’s a school I’ve always been interested in. They offered me recently, I talked with coach Steeples but I heard they just fired the whole defensive staff so I’m going to need to try and connect with someone over there soon. I haven’t talked with coach Kelly yet but would like to at some point and then start building something with the new DB coach.”

Oregon– “I talk with coach Meat (Demetrice Martin, DB coach) and I like their program a lot. I don’t talk with them as much as some other programs but I’m trying to get up there for a visit and learn more about the school. I’ve never visited Oregon before but I like how they play and I think I would fit in well there.”

Penn State– “I like Penn State a lot and they’re one of the schools that doesn’t make just about football. I’ve talked with coach Terry Smith before but Danny O’Brien is the main one that I talk with and he’s my lead recruiter. He’s a great dude and I enjoy talking to him because he talks about life outside of football too. They came to my school last year, and watched my film and then offered on the spot so I like them a lot.”

USC– “USC is the home town school so they’re always going to be an option for me. I just starting talking to their new DB coach, Doug Belk and he seems like a good guy and we’re starting to build a relationship. I talk with Taylor Mays too and I think USC is more attractive for sure now that they have a new defensive staff in place. I also really like Lincoln Riley, that’s my guy right there.”

Washington– “I talk to them every day and have a great relationship withe staff. I like the coaches a lot and obviously love what they’re doing on the field. Courtney Morgan (General Manager) is my lead recruiter and I talk to Juice Brown a lot too. I visited twice, once for the Spring Game and then the Oregon game and love the environment there. I’m going to visit again February 3, I think it’s a Junior Day and that should be fun.”

Lee said he’s planning to commit before his senior year. He wants to take his official visits in the spring/summer but doesn’t have any dates locked in yet.

“I know four schools I will visit for sure are Washington, Georgia, Florida and Arizona,” Lee said. “I’m going to take a lot of unofficial visits to the other schools as well.

“The biggest thing for me is development and relationships. I want a school where I fit in well and have a good comfort level and then a place that can make me better and help me grow as a player.”