For so many college football players, spring practice before their senior season is their wakeup call, a reminder that there is one last chance to salvage their career. Spring football has brought about a paradigm shift for Duke Lemmens in the way that he approaches practice and prepares for one last football season at the University of Florida. With a starting spot open at defensive end, Lemmens is going about his spring practice business with a brand new resolve and it could be what the California native needs to finally live up to the expectations that followed him to Gainesville when he signed with the Gators in 2007.
“This whole offseason, I really took into effect this is my last year,” Lemmens noted after a sweltering practice earlier this week. “It’s gone by fast. I dreamed of doing more by now. This is my one chance. I’m really stopping to smell the roses a little bit.”
Lemmens, who recorded 10 tackles while appearing in 11 games last year, hopes to see those numbers go up significantly this fall. He has put himself in a position to do make significant improvement thanks to his new lease on football life.
“I feel like I’m really improved,” he said with a laugh. “I’ve shed a little baby fat from last year. I’m lean and mean. I’ve gotten stronger in the weight room, I’ve ran my fastest times. I’m eating healthier than I ever have. Just little stuff like that has changed my whole outlook on things.”
Listed at 6-4, 265 pounds, Lemmens has dropped some weight as he figures to play a different role on the defensive line this fall.
“I’m down about 10-15 pounds from last year, but I’m just as strong and I feel quicker,” he noted. “Last year I had to do a lot more stuff inside. This year I’m really concentrating on the FOX (defensive end) position, and helping out inside on passing situations.”
That role could even involve being utilized as a stand-up outside linebacker — a position he might have to play if he is to move on to the next level.
“Coach Meyer wants me to work on that, because we might have a big nickel package where I’m doing a little more dropping [into coverage],” Lemmens noted his work with linebackers coach D.J. Durkin, which has become a regular occurrence after each practice. “I’m just working on it. All of that stuff makes you a better football player.
Maybe, just maybe, that versatile role will lead to greatly increased playing time — and if the script plays out like Lemmens hopes it will — a touchdown or two as well.
“That’s a dream come true,” Lemmens said of the vision of being in the end zone. It can be offense or defense as well, he doesn’t discriminate. Lemmens hopes the local co-eds don’t, either. “Then the girls might notice me, so we’ll see.”
And Lemmens knows he needs to become a better football player. The departure of defensive ends Jermaine Cunningham and Carlos Dunlap, both of whom expect to go in the early rounds of the NFL Draft later this month. Lemmens knows the absence of two great pass-rushers like Cunningham and Dunlap is no excuse for any dip in production out of the position in 2010.
“It’s hard to replace those guys, but life keeps going on,” he said. “Florida football is always supposed to be good — especially the defensive ends — so I’ve got big shoes to fill.”
Don’t look for any cop-out from Lemmens due to the injuries the defensive line has suffered this spring, either. He knows better.
“It’s not excuse for losing,” he said. “The defense just has to step up with what we’ve got.”
In any case, Lemmens has already won the battle just by avoiding the senioritis bug. At a make-or-break time for his career, Lemmens hopes to follow the example set by players like Vernell Brown and Reggie Lewis before him. Ending his career on a high note is important, and it all goes back to the way Lemmens looks at things on the way out to the practice field. It is that very change of perspective that will serve him well this year.
“I used to come out here and think of [practice] as a job,” he recalls. “But now, I’m really looking forward to every time I get to suit up.”