Jalen Lee is a safety from Wentzville, Missouri, who attended Fort Zumwalt North High School before playing four seasons at South Dakota State. During his 2025 redshirt junior year, Lee earned First Team All-Missouri Valley Football Conference honors after recording 63 tackles, three interceptions, and seven pass breakups while starting at cornerback. He was named MVFC Defensive Player of the Week on October 20 following two interceptions against Murray State and did not allow a touchdown in coverage. Lee transferred to Coastal Carolina following the 2025 season and has been recognized four times for academic excellence in the MVFC.