Logan Lee Has Priorities in Order

IOWA CITY, Ia. – Logan Lee has his priorities straight.

“It’s religion first, then household, then soccer,’ stated Iowa’s junior defensive sort out. “I’m simply doing my finest to maintain these in line. Nothing I do will be capable to deviate from that. Soccer means a ton to me, don’t get me incorrect. It has given me quite a lot of alternatives. And I usually do a good job of making an attempt to take advantage of my alternatives.”

Lee, who’s listed as Iowa’s No. 1 proper defensive sort out, added to one in all his priorities on July 3 when he married Tori Verbeck in Geneseo, Sick. After a weeklong honeymoon in Hayward, Wis., Lee is again together with his teammates as low season exercises proceed.

“I truly met her within the seventh grade, however we actually didn’t discuss in any respect,” Lee stated. “We began relationship my sophomore 12 months of highschool. So we’ve been collectively for six years now.”

They bought engaged on Dec. 30 at a Citrus Bowl occasion in Orlando, Fla. Tori, who competed in monitor and subject at Wisconsin-Whitewater, has landed a pupil instructing job as a bodily training teacher in Iowa Metropolis. She desires to be a P.E. trainer on the elementary stage.

Whereas Tori adapts to a brand new career, her husband can be making an attempt to steadiness his life as a student-athlete and a husband.

“It will likely be somewhat completely different, making an attempt to steadiness all the pieces,” Logan stated. “However will probably be a extremely cool alternative.”

It’s taken a while for the three-sport star at Orion Excessive College in Orion,, Sick., to succeed in the sector. He was redshirted in 2019, then performed in simply two video games in 2020. However as a substitute of getting misplaced within the shuffle, Lee turned a significant component in Iowa’s line of defense final season. He began all 14 video games in 2022.

“I do know the presents and blessings I’ve been given,” stated the 6-foot-5, 277-pounder. “And I’m doing my finest each day to have the ability to reside as much as these. I’ll by no means be capable to be excellent, however taking one other step nearer to perfection is what I’m taking pictures for day by day.”

Lee performed defensive finish earlier in his profession, however he’s discovered sort out to be a greater place for him.

“I assumed it was fairly a bit simpler, going from finish to sort out,” Lee stated. “Every thing hits quite a bit faster essentially. However conceptually, it’s a lot easier.”

Lee had 48 tackles general final season. That included 5 tackles for a loss and three sacks. He additionally recovered a fumble, and had a seven-tackle sport within the victory over Penn State.

“The largest factor I’ve at all times valued is having the ability to assist the workforce as a lot as I can, and dealing as arduous as I can, to place myself in that place,” Lee stated. “I’ve at all times been very assured with my talents, and keen to guess on myself. I knew my time would come, and it was capable of come final 12 months. I’m planning on fully exceeding that this 12 months.”

Iowa’s line of defense, coached by Kelvin Bell, seems deep and skilled heading into the season. Defensive ends Joe Evans and John Waggoner are three-year lettermen. Sophomore Lukas Van Ness, who lettered whereas enjoying largely defensive sort out final season, is predicted to play finish this season. Noah Shannon has lettered three seasons at defensive sort out. Lee, Deontae Craig, Yahya Black and Louie Stec have additionally lettered whereas enjoying throughout the line of defense.

“We’ve bought a terrific group,” Lee stated. “There are a ton of men able to enjoying, near a dozen guys there.”

A real freshman, Aaron Graves, might add to that depth.

“He seems actually good,” Lee stated. “He’s shifting rather well. He’s a terrific child. I’m a giant fan of his. It will likely be thrilling to see what he’s capable of do. I’m going to attempt to take him underneath my wing.”

Lee stated the depth throughout the road will show useful in a number of areas.

“I feel will probably be a terrific alternative for every of us to develop, and throw completely different seems at groups,” he stated. “There are quite a lot of strengths that we’ve. And we’ll be capable to combine and match completely different packages.”

Individually, Lee wish to enhance his conditioning, which might result in extra time on the sector. He additionally desires so as to add some weight, improve his information of the defensive schemes and enhance his go rush with higher hand work and hand-eye coordination.

“I simply need to assist the protection as a lot as I can with my manufacturing,” Lee stated.