The path to college football isn’t as straight-forward for everyone. Sometimes, one must stray from the short-and-narrow to find the way – the way that works.
Meet Alex Lemon.
Lemon is a 6-foot-4, 275-pound defensive end in the Class of 2021. However, the three-star graduated high school back in 2018.
After leaving Mount Migeul High School in Spring Valley, Calif. in the spring of 2018, Lemon attended San Diego Mesa and played football. Following the season, the defensive lineman needed to reassess.
“I had some personal family issues taking place of the field, so I elected to not play last season. I really didn’t know if I was going to play or not,” the Tennessee target said. “And then, the coaches here [Iowa Central Community College] reached out to me and offered me a full scholarship after seeing my film.
“I never visited campus. My mom said she trusted them, so I went.”
Seeking a fresh start, Lemon arrived on campus in the spring of 2020 looking forward to proving himself on the gridiron this fall.
“It was the right move for me to keep playing,” the prospect said. “I have some offers, but that doesn’t mean I’m better than anyone else here. I go up against soon-to-be Power 5 offensive linemen every day in practice and they have made me better.”
And then the coronavirus pandemic hit and football was lost at Iowa Central this fall. Still, Lemon views it as an opportunity rather than another setback.
“The COVID period has really benefitted a lot of us. We have practiced and I really think I’ve gotten better,” the defensive end said. “We went through a period where we lifted three days a week and then drilled three days a week. We had a ‘fall’ practice period as well.”
A one-time Oregon State commit, the 20-year-old now has options after reclassifying. Instead of playing a spring season with his current teammates, Lemon will likely opt to sign with a Division I program in February, graduate in April and play big-time college football in 2021.
And there are many suitors.
“After Tennessee and Arkansas offered me, I think I have about 14,” Lemon remembered. “I had no offers coming out of high school, so this is all a dream. Tennessee is for sure in the mix, I’m looking into Texas Tech and I speak with Bowling Green and Arkansas a lot, too.”
Joe Osovet is heading up the recruitment with Lemon and the two communicate ‘3-4 times a week.’ Whether it be via text, phone, direct message or Face Time, the 2021 prospect ‘feels wanted’ by the Volunteers.
“There’s tradition and atmosphere in Knoxville – it’s not something you can just recreate in college football,” Lemon said. “I watched Tennessee as a kid growing up and noticed quickly there is nothing like the stadium, crowd and energy there.
“The Vols also have at least a couple – sometimes more – defensive linemen coming out of there. The production coming out of Knoxville is something I’ve noticed and am looking at.”
Though the journey has been long, it’s far from over for Lemon.
The potential is there to be a threat at the next level, but the prospect is currently focused on completing his winter units at Iowa Central to ensure his progress is on track for graduation in the spring.
From there, the defensive end will finally be looking to make an impact on the field – maybe at Neyland Stadium.
