:format(webP)/s3.amazonaws.com/arc-wordpress-client-uploads/tbt/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/21203346/EricLee.jpg "Former USF defensive end Eric Lee (55), now a Patriots defensive end, was a second-team All-American Athletic Conference pick in 2015. (AP photo)")
Former Bulls DE Eric Lee has joined one of the more elite fraternities in USF football lore.
Lee, who had three tackles for the Patriots in Sunday's AFC Championship Game, becomes the 11th Bulls player to reach a Super Bowl. He's among only eight to reach the sport's ultimate stage as active roster players; three others made it as practice squad members.
Lee, undrafted after earning second-team All-American Athletic Conference honors as a Bulls senior in 2015, was signed by New England off the Bills practice squad in late November. He made his NFL debut in Week 12, recording four tackles in a sack in a 35-17 triumph against the Dolphins.
He trumped that effort the following week in a 23-3 romp against the Bills, totaling four tackles, 1.5 sacks, an interception and pass deflection. He'll enter the Super Bowl with 23 tackles and 3.5 sacks.
Bulls in the Super Bowl
(Super Bowl game in parentheses)
LS Ryan Benjamin, Buccaneers (XXXVII, 2003)
QB B.J. Daniels, Seahawks (XLIX, 2015; XLVIII, 2014)*
C Sampson Genus, Packers (XLV, 2011)*
OL Kenyatta Jones, Patriots (XXXVI, 2002)
DE Eric Lee, Patriots (LII, 2018)
WR Scott McCready, Patriots (XXXVI, 2002)*
LB Kawika Mitchell, Giants (XLII, 2008)
DE Jason Pierre-Paul, Giants (XLVI, 2012)
DB J.R. Reed, Eagles (XXXIX, 2005)
DB Kayvon Webster, Broncos (XLX, 2016; XLVIII, 2014)
LB Jacquian Williams, Giants (XLVI, 2012)
*-practice squad member
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