During high school in
Uniontown, Pennsylvania (suburban Pittsburgh), McLee rushed for 1,637 yards and led the team in
tackles. McLee also
lettered in
basketball and
track. Following his uncle Billy and cousin Reggie McLee's footsteps, McLee attended
West Virginia University. He was interested in
Michigan State and
Pittsburgh, but neither one gave him offers. McLee redshirted his 2002 freshman year, learning the complex 3-3-5 defensive scheme, but was rookie of the week in practice during the game week against the
Miami Hurricanes.
Freshman (2002) In
2002, McLee red-shirted his true freshman season.
Freshman (2003) In
2003, McLee got more playing time with the graduation of
Grant Wiley, 2002's starting linebacker. Behind linebacker Scott Gyorko, McLee totaled 46 tackles for the year and three sacks. McLee recorded two tackles against
Wisconsin, three tackles and a sack in the game against the
Cincinnati, and six tackles, a sack, and a fumble recovery against the
Maryland. McLee also forced fumble against Miami and
Virginia Tech. In the
Gator Bowl, McLee recorded six tackles.
Sophomore (2004) In
2004, McLee played on the Mountaineer team that was expected to be National Championship contenders with
Rasheed Marshall,
Adam "Pacman" Jones,
Chris Henry, and
Kay-Jay Harris. Although the Mountaineers ended 8–4, McLee had a good season. McLee shared time with fellow junior Jeff Noechel, but recorded 44 tackles on the year. In an overtime win against Maryland, McLee recorded six tackles and forced a fumble. Against Virginia Tech, McLee led the team with 11 tackles and recorded a 10-yard sack against
Boston College. McLee had a team-best eight tackles in the
Gator Bowl loss to
Florida State.
Junior (2005) In
2005, McLee teamed up with a strong defense of
Mike Lorello and
Jahmile Addae at safeties. McLee earned 2005 first-team All-
Big East honors,
ESPN All-Conference honors, and All-
ECAC honors as the starter. McLee recorded 78 tackles, which was second-best on the team. McLee had a team-high six tackles at
Syracuse for the season-opener, a team-best 11 tackles in the
East Carolina win, team-best nine tackles and a sack of
Marcus Vick against Virginia Tech, 10 tackles and two pass break-ups in overtime win against the
Louisville, 30-yard interception against
UConn, and was the leading tackler with 11 tackles against Pitt. McLee won Gridiron Gladiator Award from the West Virginia coaches and was the Big East player of the week against Cincinnati. He was also named MVP on defense against Syracuse, Virginia Tech, Cincinnati, and Pitt.
Senior (2006) In
2006, McLee finally started the whole season. He finished the season with 79 tackles but no sacks. McLee had his second career interception against Connecticut, which he returned for 10 yards. McLee had 9 tackles against
Marshall, six tackles against Maryland, six against Syracuse, six against Connecticut, six against Cincinnati, and eight tackles in the overtime win against
Rutgers. McLee finished the season on the
Butkus Award list and traveled to the
Senior Bowl. In his final game as a Mountaineer, McLee totaled three tackles against
Georgia Tech in the
Gator Bowl. ==Professional career==