Fresno State Athletics
Jerry Lemon
6/21/1999 12:00:00 AM | Football
By Mike Peterson
Fresno State Media Relations
FRESNO, Calif. - A part time player during his four years at Fresno State, Jerry Lemon relishes the fact that he has finally been given the chance to be the Bulldogs starting nose tackle.
Reaching this point hasn't been easy, as Lemon has had to overcome several set backs early in his career. He was deemed academically ineligible in 1994 and a shoulder injury in 1995 allowed him to participate in only one game.
"My time here has had its ups-and-downs. I came here the first year and found out I was ineligible two days before the team left for Ohio State," Lemon said. "So I had to sit out the game and the entire season. But it just made me hungrier to play. I can't believe that is almost time for me to pack it up."
Lemon was so determined to have a strong senior season that he stayed in Fresno over the to work with teammates and the coaching staff. Lemon wanted to use that time to both improve himself and to give his younger counterparts on the defensive line the motivation not to wait to give it their all.
"It just took me five year's to realize that you have to be mentally tough and I finally got that down," Lemon said. "Hopefully, I can show the new players not to wait until the final year so that this football program can move forward."
This season, Lemon has stepped up his game to record 21 total tackles (12 unassisted, 9 assisted) and two quarterback sacks in the Bulldogs' first five games this season. All this coming from a player who stands 6-1 and weighs 269 pounds and plays in the land of 300 pound offensive lineman.
"He's gone out week-in and week-out this year and has done an excellent job," said Jethro Franklin, Lemon's defensive line coach. "We kind of worry a little bit about how long he can last. What's important is keeping him healthy because his body isn't as big as other players."
Lemon, who simply describes himself as vertically impaired, uses his quickness and strength to make-up for any height or weight that he may lack.
"What they can't catch, they can't hold. So I try to beat them with quickness and speed," Lemon said. "It has nothing to do about size, it's about quickness and how much heart you have."
His quickness was so impressive in the Bulldogs 31-21 upset of BYU that Cougar offensive lineman praised his play.
"BYU had some big lineman. They came up to me after the game and said they respected me," Lemon said. "They had never played against someone so quick."
