Pitt FB Recruiting
In-State Pitt CB Commit Ruled Ineligible for Senior Season
Harrisburg star quarterback/cornerback Shawn Lee Jr. is officially unable to play his senior season.
Lee — a 5-foot-10, 170-pound three-star athlete from Harrisburg, Pa. — was denied eligibility for the 2024 season in his PIAA appeal hearing, according to a report by Dan Sostek of Penn Live. The 5-0 decision comes after a PIAA District 3 ruling last month, which Lee then appealed.
It’s a tough break for one of the most talented athletes in Pennsylvania, who led his squad deep into the PIAA Class-6A playoffs last season.
BREAKING: Harrisburg quarterback Shawn Lee Jr. has been denied eligibility for the 2024 season via his PIAA appeal hearing. 5-0 vote.
The 6A contending Cougars will now go into Saturday's opener and the rest of 2024 without their three-year starter and Pitt commit.
— Dan Sostek (@dan_sostek) August 21, 2024
Penn Live reported last month that Lee was accused of having exceeded four years of high school football. The Lee family told Penn Live that Lee Jr. only played three years of football and sought a medical waiver for the COVID-19-impacted season.
Lee committed to Pitt in June, choosing the Panthers over offers from Akron, Buffalo, UConn, Howard, Iowa State, JMU, Kent State and North Carolina State following an official visit to Pittsburgh. He’s a recruit who flew under the radar during his recruitment despite a standout campaign at Harrisburg last fall.
It’s easy to see why the Pitt coaching staff prioritized Lee during his official visit to Pittsburgh over the summer.
He starred on both sides of the ball at Harrisburg, racking up 3,721 yards and 45 total touchdowns (1,451 yards and 19 touchdowns on the ground) and 47 tackles (32 solo), four interceptions and seven pass breakups. The lack of major interest was surprising, but it may have had to do with his size.
Lee is rated as a three-star recruit in the class, rated as the 25th-ranked athlete from Pennsylvania by 247Sports (98th-ranked athlete in the class). He holds a 5.5 Rivals Rating.
Lee isn’t the most sought-after recruit in the class, but he’s an excellent athlete who somehow slipped through the cracks. He’s a top-tier athlete who will fit well in the Panthers’ secondary despite having to miss his senior season at Harrisburg.
It’s a tough break for Lee as he was gearing up for what was expected to be another standout season and his final chance to bring a state championship to Harrisburg.
