KANNAPOLIS — It’s Wednesday afternoon and A.L. Brown running backs coach Glenn Cook is talking about what a quality group of kids he’s blessed with again this year. But then senior quarterback Josh Lee walks by and Cook’s thoughts briefly turn away from his own charges.

“But there’s the really strong part of this whole thing,” says Cook, pointing at Lee, a 6-3, 215-pound blonde who looks like he’s been chiseled out of one of the brick buildings that dot the A.L. Brown campus. “Josh is about as good as I’ve seen. He’s right up there with anybody who’s been here since I’ve been here.”

Cook, a Catawba College man, has been part of the Wonder program since 1988, Bob Boswell’s final year as head coach, so he didn’t just fall off the school bus. He’s seen some stud QBs. He’s watched them come and go in K-Town. Everyone from Maurice Blakeney to Justin Hardin.

Hardin, signal-caller the last two seasons, is battling for playing time at the Citadel now as a true freshman. He was 3A South Piedmont Conference Player of the Year as a senior, threw 41 TD passes the last two years and was good enough to play in the East-West All-Star Game.

Ordinarily, when you lose a stellar QBlike that, it means a drop-off. But no one has ever accused the Wonders, who have lost just three games the past three years, of being ordinary. Only in Kannapolis, do you lose an East-West guy and talk seriously about being every bit as good — maybe even better — at that position. Yes, Lee is that good.

New head coach Ron Massey smiles when asked about Lee, who reportedly left a trail of scorched defensive backs in this summer’s passing league.

“Josh,” says Massey with a gleam in his eye, “should do just fine.”

Lee was a linebacker last season and was anything but ordinary. He was all over the place. In fact, he was all-conference. He sacked QBs, ravaged running backs and called the signals. He did spectacular things like running down North Rowan wideout Andre Byrd in the open field.

Lee got decent props for his work at linebacker. He became famous for his work as the Wonders’ backup signal-caller. When Hardin went down with an injury for two games, Lee took over. He went both ways (How many guys have you seen play quarterback and linebacker in the same game?) and keyed huge wins over bitter rivals Northwest Cabarrus and Concord that gave the Wonders yet another conference championship.

But Lee’s linebacker days are most likely history — barring an emergency. For one thing, Massey is a staunch believer in two-platoon football. For another, Massey brings from Kings Mountain an all new offense with all new terminology. That means Lee must devote every available minute of practice time to mastering complex new schemes.

“It was confusing at first,” says Lee. “But we’re starting to get it.”

“It’s all new to him, so we’re giving Josh as many reps as we can at quarterback,” said Massey.

That’s why Lee’s old linebacker coach, Jeremy Ryan, is walking around looking like he’s just lost his best friend, best girl and best dog all at once.

“Josh was great for me, but I definitely understand,” says Ryan. “Josh isn’t just the best quarterback we have, he’s one of the best around. And Coach (Massey) has got to get his best 11 on the field.”

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Lee is a coach’s dream. He smiles a lot, looks people in the eye, stays out of trouble and listens intently to instruction from Massey, a quarterback specialist.

“I’m going to miss linebacker,” says Lee. “But whatever’s best for this team is best for me.”

Lee has the respect and confidence of his teammates. For one thing, they know he busted his tail in the off-season. Unwilling to rest on his All-SPC laurels, he was as much a fixture in the summer weight room as the barbells. His sweat paid off. He’s stronger this year — and faster. He’s been timed at 4.71 for 40 yards, exceptional for a quarterback, especially a big one.

“I really helped my speed this summer,” says Lee. “I did less overall running, but lots more technique work.”

Lee’s teammates also like him, because, despite his GQ looks, he’s as physical as they come. He’s never backed away from vicious contact.

“I won’t have that kind of fun this year,” he says, “but we do run some option plays where I get to pitch the ball and then throw a block. I’ll still get to hit some people.”

The rifle-armed Lee is also a huge hit with college recruiters. He has fine grades and a strong SAT score and is drawing big-time attention. UNChas already had him in for a visit. Tennessee invited him to its Orange-White game. And he spent a week at South Carolina this summer. The rebuilding Gamecocks are after him hard.

“Yeah, but I’d rather go to one of those other two places,” laughs Lee.

The amazing thing about the gifted Lee is that some schools are recruiting him as a QB, some as a linebacker. And some, like UNC, would just like to have him, period.

“Darrell Moody (UNC’s recruiting coordinator) told me they don’t recruit positions,” says Lee. “They just recruit athletes.”

Lee certainly qualifies on that count.

There have been transfer rumors every summer for the last three years that the kid was going somewhere where he could be the starting quarterback. But his heart’s always been with the Wonders. He’s paid his dues and stayed put, even when it meant two years of jayvee ball.

And now it’s his time.

“Josh has sacrificed for this year,” says Ryan. “He’s going to reap the rewards for all that hard work he’s put in. He’s a great kid. He deserves everything that’s going to come his way.”

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Mike London is the assistant sports editor of the Post.