Tulsa World: OSU's Lemon gets acclimated to linebacker

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OSU's Lemon gets acclimated to linebacker

IMPROVED
Orie Lemon: Has finally found his place on the Cowboy team.

By MATT DOYLE World Sports Writer
Published: 8/19/2008 2:07 AM
Last Modified: 8/19/2008 4:30 AM

STILLWATER — Orie Lemon finally has found a home on the football field for Oklahoma State.

Throughout his first two seasons in Stillwater, Lemon has endured an identity crisis trying to find the right position to play.

Lemon, who starred as a dual threat run-pass quarterback at Houston Yates High School, has paid his dues at OSU as a reserve linebacker.

"I think I got about two snaps at quarterback in my first practice here two years ago before they switched me to fullback," Lemon said. "But that didn't last too long because the coaches wanted me at linebacker."

Now, it appears the apprenticeship will pay off as Lemon is the Cowboys' starter at middle linebacker.

"Orie Lemon continues to make plays every day and is playing better," coach Mike Gundy said. "Orie is growing up. He is 250 pounds, and he still runs fast and he is understanding the law of physics where if you hit them harder than they hit you that it is going to feel better. He is doing a lot better in that area."

Lemon has six career tackles. He has spent the majority of his first two seasons splitting time on special teams and outside linebacker.

At 6-foot-1 and 250 pounds, Lemon gives OSU a greater physical presence in the middle of the defense.

Junior Patrick Lavine was middle linebacker for the majority of the past two seasons. But at just over 220 pounds, Lavine was viewed as a little undersized for the middle and was shifted over to outside linebacker.

"If you look at Orie, how fast he runs, how much he lifts and squats, he has the opportunity to take his game as far as he wants it," defensive coordinator Tim Beckman said. "He continues to learn it and gets better every day. He is fun to watch."

Lemon was accustomed to punishing opponents on offense in high school, but the transition to succeeding on defense in college was tough.

"My learning curve was longer than I wanted," Lemon said. "But I had to change my whole mentality from playing offense to playing defense. I'm not only asked to make plays, but in the middle, I have to call the plays and get everybody aligned. It's a pretty big difference. But deep down in my heart, I knew this is where I was supposed to play."

Lemon made strides playing middle linebacker throughout spring practice.

"When he first got here, he was more laid back and at times very goofy," linebacker Andre Sexton said. "Now, he is more consistent and focused. He is trying to be a leader and has stepped up in so many different ways. He has the physical talent. Watching him, you see how smooth he is, and as big as he is, he can run around and make plays. That's going to be a big difference, because we haven't had a big, physical middle linebacker that can run."

Matt Doyle 581-8316
matt.doyle@tulsaworld.com By MATT DOYLE World Sports Writer

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