JF's Bullock, Lee commit to continue soccer careers at LU

Two of the players who made Jefferson Forest’s first-ever Group AA state championship run possible last spring, attacking midfielder Tyler Bullock and goalkeeper Jeremy Lee, committed to continue their soccer careers at Liberty University next fall at a ceremony held at JF on Wednesday, National Signing Day.

Bullock follows in the path of his older brother Tim, who played forward for the Flames over the past four years and will serve as the Cavaliers’ JV coach this spring, and their father Clay, who ran cross country and track at LU.

"Tyler has the X factor," JF coach Jedd Zaring said. "I know he has the work ethic and the physical skills to succeed. He’s already got the speed and he is very tricky with the ball. He has the ability to take over a game, to do something to win a game, like he did in the state final against Blacksburg."

Bullock sparked a counter-attack, dribbling downfield before assisting Matthew Crider on the game-winning goal in the closing minutes of that contest at Radford University, beating the 11-time state champion Bruins.

"They’ve recruited me as an attack player," Bullock said, the same role his brother played LU the past four years. "They like my speed of play and my one-on-one skills with the ball."

He said he has dreamed of playing for the Flames "Ever since I was a little kid and my dad brought me to the games."

Lee is looking forward to joining Bullock at Liberty, where he hopes to earn a starting spot in goal in the near future.

"The idea is to come in and red-shirt my freshman year and get some college experience," said Lee, who also was recruited by Lynchburg College and ODU. "I’m going to give 110 percent. Hopefully, I can come in and compete for a starting spot and work for it and deserve it."

Zaring believes Lee has a bright future in the cage.

"There’s a big upside for Jeremy," he said. "He’s big and tall and he’s quick as a cat so he has a combination of all the attributes you’re looking for in a Division I goalkeeper."