Week 13's Overnight Sensation: Will Lee III, Defensive Back

Each Monday during the 2024 Texas A&M football season, we’ll identify a first or second-year Aggie player who delivered an exceptional performance over the weekend and earned the distinction of being the week’s “Overnight Sensation.”

On a night when Texas A&M’s offense went cold, “The Blanket” provided some warmth.

In the A&M’s disappointing 17-7 loss to Texas in the renewal of the rivalry, there were few glimmers of excitement for Aggie fans.

The offense struggled mightily. Defensively, the Aggies couldn’t stop the run.

Texas proved to be the better team early, while all A&M could muster was failed responses.

Down 17-0 with 5:42 remaining in the third quarter, Texas drove downfield and into the red zone, and the Longhorns were looking to put the game away with a score.

However, Will Lee III had different plans.

Facing pressure from Taurean York, Quinn Ewers’ pass was deflected by DJ Hicks. Lee was there to intercept it and run it back 93 yards, scoring A&M’s only touchdown of the night.

It was the longest pick-six since Aaron Glenn’s 95-yarder against Texas in 1992.

That play should have been the spark A&M needed, but instead, the offense saw Texas’ territory seven times with no points to show for it.

In addition to the pick-six, Lee recorded seven tackles, six of which were solo stops and a pass breakup.

Lee’s pass breakup came early in the first quarter. On third-and-2 on A&M's 15-yard line, Lee made a huge play to prevent DeAndre Moore Jr. from scoring. However, the Longhorns scored on the subsequent play.

That was Lee's 10th PBU of the year as he finished the regular season tied for third in the SEC in that category. Additionally, 10 is the most PBUs recorded by an A&M defensive back since Charles Oliver’s 15 in 2019.

The Kansas State transfer was a solid piece of A&M’s secondary all year, starting all 12 games at corner, tallying 39 solo takedowns. Lee also finished his career as an Aggie with two picks.

Yet, not even “The Blanket” could defrost the ice-cold offense on Saturday night.

Lee’s stats vs. Texas
Tackles: 7
Solo Tackles: 6
Interceptions: 1
Pass Breakups: 1

Lee’s 2024 stats
Tackles: 42
Solo Tackles: 39
Interceptions: 2
Pass Breakups: 10
TFLs: 0.5
Forced Fumbles: 1