Horse-ing around at Big Ten media day

"Great player," Rodriguez said.

Rodriguez actually recruited Lee when he was still at West Virginia in 2004. One time, on a visit to Lee's high school, Rodriguez challenged the linebacker to a game of H-O-R-S-E.

“I can’t remember if he let me win," Rodriguez said. "I know my mindset was I was going to let him win, but he was so competitive he wasn’t going to let me win nothing. I don’t remember."

Back after missing all of last season with a knee injury, Lee is one of the best linebackers in the Big Ten.

"He’s the type of guy that you could build a defense around, so everybody wants one of those," Rodriguez said.