Completed Event: Football at Fordham on October 18, 2025 , Win , 30, to, 13
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From The Woods to NFL Hopeful: Delby Lemieux’s Story
1/30/2026 12:05:00 PM | Football
In the fall of 2022, Delby Lemieux was fresh out of high school looking to make his mark in college football at Dartmouth.
"I knew it would be like starting over again, being an 18-year-old guy trying to play with juniors and seniors who were 21, 22 and maybe even some 23-year olds who were fifth years," he said.
"I definitely approached the start of my career from the thought process that everything would have to be earned."
That mindset fits into who Lemieux is as a person — someone with high aspirations but knows nothing is given.
Flash forward almost four years and Lemieux is headed to the prestigious Senior Bowl, where he has the opportunity to earn his place among the top National Football League Draft prospects. The game is set for Saturday, Jan. 31 at 1:30 p.m. ET on NFL Network.
"If you told me four years ago that I would be in this position, I would say you were lying," he said. "It's an amazing opportunity to go down there and get to compete with kids from the SEC, Big Ten, Big 12 and ACC. When I got elevated to this game, I was super fired up."
It's more than a game; it's a one-week showcase.
"Several days of practice, walk through, game — but also getting to interact with the NFL clubs and do some interviewing," said Lemieux.
"From top to bottom, it's a really great experience."
Lemieux's Dartmouth experience has certainly been great as well.
"I came to Dartmouth for a final visit with my mom and my dad," he said. "And when we got in the car on the way home, I knew this was the right decision for me. I loved everything about the town of Hanover, the guys I had met on the team and the atmosphere of the school.
"Everything felt so right."
Sammy McCorkle, the Robert L. Blackman Head Football Coach — who was Dartmouth's associate head coach at the time — said Lemieux's drive to be the best was evident from the beginning.
"He always set the bar very high for himself," said McCorkle. "That mindset, as soon as he stepped on campus, has always been that way. Everything he did was all about getting to the highest level possible, and he was never satisfied."
Lemieux's drive, coupled with what Dartmouth provides, would prove to be a perfect fit…
Rookie seasons are typically development years, with little to no game action.
But it was different for Lemieux, who got into 10 games.
"The roster and some injuries put me in a position where I was getting a little bit of time, which was great," he said. "I was undersized at the time; I wasn't big enough to be a starting player by any means. I had a lot of work to do going into that offseason. And I was really grateful, because [that playing time] drove me through that offseason to show up at sophomore fall camp as a whole new player."
Offensive line coach Keith Clark remembers one story like it was yesterday.
"In the Harvard game, he came off the field after a series and said to me, 'Coach, those guys are so strong on the defensive line,'" said Clark. "My response to him was, 'Yes, so now you know what you have to do to be on elite competitor.'
"The subsequent offseason, I saw a boy out of high school become a focused and driven young man."
That spring, Lemieux was getting reps at the starting left tackle spot.
"I really wanted to prove I could hold the position, he said. "We've had some great defensive linemen and as an underclassman, I got to practice against some of the best kids in the Ivy League, which helped me a ton from a development standpoint. It gave me a lot of confidence going into game days as a sophomore and junior."
The hard work was quickly paying off. As a sophomore, Lemieux was named honorable mention All-Ivy. The Big Green capped off a challenging year with an Ivy League Championship. It was a year that featured the tragic deaths of head coach Buddy Teevens and teammate Josh Balara.
"A really special championship after a year where we had been through so much as a program," said Lemieux.
Lemieux's trajectory was very much on the rise, garnering first team All-Ivy as a junior and most importantly, another Ivy League title. Dartmouth's offensive line impressed, finishing 20th nationally in fewest sacks allowed, with Lemieux continuing to anchor the line at left tackle.
"We built a lot of chemistry as a group; I got to play next to some of my best friends," said Lemieux. "Winning the championship and having an 8-2 record was great, and I was really fortunate to make some of those big [All-America] lists after the season. It wasn't something I was expecting or aware of, that I was viewed that way, but very excited about it.
"It helped me set some big goals for myself going into my senior year."
Around that time was when the chance of the NFL felt very real for Lemieux.
"I did some soul searching in how I wanted my senior year to go," he said. "And from a football standpoint, whether or not I had the ability to take a shot at the next level."
The answer to that question was a resounding yes.
"There were some rumblings in the spring about some scouts talking to our coaches; it was all so new and something I didn't understand," said Lemieux. "Going into senior year, I wanted to give it my best shot. Do the best I could for this program and let the chips fall how they may."
Lemieux's mindset is always team first. He is a strong player with his footwork and athleticism, but just as important is his leadership and intangibles as a teammate.
"My thought process is the better I make myself as a player will be reflected in our ability as a team," said Lemieux. "Wanting to have a great year as the Dartmouth football program, I believe, is what helps guys achieve their individual gaosl."
Lemieux is a great example how team and individual success go hand-in-hand.
Development at Dartmouth
One reason Lemieux is in this position is growth and development.
From someone who had just one Division I offer, to now an NFL prospect, he couldn't have done it without Dartmouth. And Dartmouth wouldn't be the same without Lemieux.
One area of growth has been the weight room.
"I came in a little lanky," he said. "I was maybe 260 pounds soaking wet as a first-year offensive lineman, which isn't exactly playing weight. Getting some of that exposure early and seeing what it was like in real time to play against these guys, I took it to heart."
As Lemieux admitted, failure is a great motivator.
"I didn't want to go back on the field and mess up or not be able to perform for our team, which stuck in the back of my mind," he said. "Every year, it was in increments. Junior to senior, I made a big jump from the 280s to around 295 going into camp and I felt fast and strong."
"Huge thanks to strength and conditioning coaches, Coach (Spencer) Brown in my first couple years and Coach (Conor) McNally in the back half," Lemieux continued. "They do so much for us as players, and we spend so much time with them by what we do in the offseason."
On the field, Lemieux entered Dartmouth with plenty of athleticism. His position coach, Clark, has helped him grow into the all-around offensive lineman he is today.
"Throughout his career, we continued to reestablish his goals as it became evident he had unique skills and talent," said Clark. "Delby's work ethic and the serious nature that he went about developing his craft, contributed to his exceptional performances as he got older. Delby is proof positive that being blessed with ability is only part of the equation. He bought into the development process and worked hard to make himself better every single day in the weight room, on the field and in the film room."
Lemieux has learned and grown so much as a person as well, just by the standards Dartmouth football operates.
"Always be on time," he said. "Never make excuses. There's a right way to do things and the way you do one thing is how you do everything, which every single one of our coaches preached."
Lemieux pointed to multiple sayings that have stuck with him.
"Coach Clark always says, 'Don't let your lack of preparation constitute a state of emergency for others.' He also says, 'Take part in your own rescue.' What you accomplish is going to be reflected in how much time and effort you're willing to put in."
Lemieux couldn't be more grateful for the lessons he's learned, like these, and the people who have surrounded him at Dartmouth.
"I've had a lot of great role models in this program," he said. "Every single one of like the offensive lineman were hard working guys on the field, really kind off the field, super intelligent and were just doing everything right — something Coach T (Teevens) and Coach McCorkle instilled in us."
Lemieux's Time to Shine
Lemieux is ready for his next challenge, the Senior Bowl, then hopefully after that, preparing for the next level.
Most of all, Lemieux wants to walk away from Senior Bowl week with no regrets.
"I want to walk away from this event knowing I gave it my all, and that I was able to compete on the same level as kids from these bigger schools," he said. "What's it going to be like coming from a smaller (FCS) program?"
It's something Lemieux thinks about, but doesn't phase him either.
"Play within yourself, do what you're taught to do, rely on your fundamentals and at the end of the day, football is football," he said. "You just have to play the game, don't let up and give everything you've got while you're out there."
It's not every day someone from the Ivy League is invited to such a prestigious event, which Lemieux doesn't take for granted. It's a well-earned invitation for the offensive lineman from Duxbury, Massachusetts.
"I'm super honored to represent our school," he said. "And I really do think it's a culmination of the work that we put in as a team, and as a 2026 class, over the last four years."
Lemieux hopes to show his athleticism and versatility at Saturday's Senior Bowl.
"Being light on your feet and being able to deliver big blocks is something I'd like to showcase," he said. "I know I'm on the smaller side, relatively speaking, to some of these other linemen. I don't view that as a disadvantage. Everyone has something about them that makes them special."
McCorkle sees a lot of traits Lemieux can use to his advantage.
"You can probably line him up at tight end and run routes," said McCorkle. "Delby's footwork, his athleticism, his ability to be an aggressive blocker at the same time and his ability to get out and block in space [makes him special]. He also has the ability, the mindset, the knowledge and intelligence to play center at that next level.
"You could put him at tackle, guard or center," McCorkle continued. "That versatility is going to be very beneficial for him."
Remember what else was beneficial for Lemieux? His mindset that nothing is guaranteed, and everything would have to be earned.
Delby Lemieux is ready to prove himself all over again at the Senior Bowl… and beyond.
"I knew it would be like starting over again, being an 18-year-old guy trying to play with juniors and seniors who were 21, 22 and maybe even some 23-year olds who were fifth years," he said.
"I definitely approached the start of my career from the thought process that everything would have to be earned."
That mindset fits into who Lemieux is as a person — someone with high aspirations but knows nothing is given.
Flash forward almost four years and Lemieux is headed to the prestigious Senior Bowl, where he has the opportunity to earn his place among the top National Football League Draft prospects. The game is set for Saturday, Jan. 31 at 1:30 p.m. ET on NFL Network.
"If you told me four years ago that I would be in this position, I would say you were lying," he said. "It's an amazing opportunity to go down there and get to compete with kids from the SEC, Big Ten, Big 12 and ACC. When I got elevated to this game, I was super fired up."
It's more than a game; it's a one-week showcase.
"Several days of practice, walk through, game — but also getting to interact with the NFL clubs and do some interviewing," said Lemieux.
"From top to bottom, it's a really great experience."
Dartmouth Felt RightPretty impressive start to 1-on-1 sessions from #Dartmouth C Delby Lemieux
— Fran Duffy (@FDuffyNFL) January 28, 2026
Had a couple of clean wins in this season - thought he looked quick, had strong hands and looked confident pic.twitter.com/AQi7eNKlVu
Lemieux's Dartmouth experience has certainly been great as well.
"I came to Dartmouth for a final visit with my mom and my dad," he said. "And when we got in the car on the way home, I knew this was the right decision for me. I loved everything about the town of Hanover, the guys I had met on the team and the atmosphere of the school.
"Everything felt so right."
Sammy McCorkle, the Robert L. Blackman Head Football Coach — who was Dartmouth's associate head coach at the time — said Lemieux's drive to be the best was evident from the beginning.
"He always set the bar very high for himself," said McCorkle. "That mindset, as soon as he stepped on campus, has always been that way. Everything he did was all about getting to the highest level possible, and he was never satisfied."
Lemieux's drive, coupled with what Dartmouth provides, would prove to be a perfect fit…
A Whole New PlayerGot to speak with former Dartmouth Tackle now IOL Delby Lemieux about his transition inside and jump in level on competition among many other things!
— The Real Ball Watcher (@thaRBW) January 28, 2026
Happy to report he has met with Carolina #KeepPounding #TheDraftStartsInMobile https://t.co/MhFfTkdqLr pic.twitter.com/YJ9SCIska8
Rookie seasons are typically development years, with little to no game action.
But it was different for Lemieux, who got into 10 games.
"The roster and some injuries put me in a position where I was getting a little bit of time, which was great," he said. "I was undersized at the time; I wasn't big enough to be a starting player by any means. I had a lot of work to do going into that offseason. And I was really grateful, because [that playing time] drove me through that offseason to show up at sophomore fall camp as a whole new player."
Offensive line coach Keith Clark remembers one story like it was yesterday.
"In the Harvard game, he came off the field after a series and said to me, 'Coach, those guys are so strong on the defensive line,'" said Clark. "My response to him was, 'Yes, so now you know what you have to do to be on elite competitor.'
"The subsequent offseason, I saw a boy out of high school become a focused and driven young man."
That spring, Lemieux was getting reps at the starting left tackle spot.
"I really wanted to prove I could hold the position, he said. "We've had some great defensive linemen and as an underclassman, I got to practice against some of the best kids in the Ivy League, which helped me a ton from a development standpoint. It gave me a lot of confidence going into game days as a sophomore and junior."
The hard work was quickly paying off. As a sophomore, Lemieux was named honorable mention All-Ivy. The Big Green capped off a challenging year with an Ivy League Championship. It was a year that featured the tragic deaths of head coach Buddy Teevens and teammate Josh Balara.
"A really special championship after a year where we had been through so much as a program," said Lemieux.
Lemieux's trajectory was very much on the rise, garnering first team All-Ivy as a junior and most importantly, another Ivy League title. Dartmouth's offensive line impressed, finishing 20th nationally in fewest sacks allowed, with Lemieux continuing to anchor the line at left tackle.
"We built a lot of chemistry as a group; I got to play next to some of my best friends," said Lemieux. "Winning the championship and having an 8-2 record was great, and I was really fortunate to make some of those big [All-America] lists after the season. It wasn't something I was expecting or aware of, that I was viewed that way, but very excited about it.
"It helped me set some big goals for myself going into my senior year."
Around that time was when the chance of the NFL felt very real for Lemieux.
"I did some soul searching in how I wanted my senior year to go," he said. "And from a football standpoint, whether or not I had the ability to take a shot at the next level."
The Next LevelTalked with Dartmouth OL, and Massachusetts native, Delby Lemieux.
— Zac Ventola (@NEPatriotsToday) January 29, 2026
Lemieux told me he has met with the #Patriots this week, and was at a loss for words when asked what it would mean to him if he could suit up for his childhood favorite team. pic.twitter.com/SXws6MLzmF
The answer to that question was a resounding yes.
"There were some rumblings in the spring about some scouts talking to our coaches; it was all so new and something I didn't understand," said Lemieux. "Going into senior year, I wanted to give it my best shot. Do the best I could for this program and let the chips fall how they may."
Lemieux's mindset is always team first. He is a strong player with his footwork and athleticism, but just as important is his leadership and intangibles as a teammate.
"My thought process is the better I make myself as a player will be reflected in our ability as a team," said Lemieux. "Wanting to have a great year as the Dartmouth football program, I believe, is what helps guys achieve their individual gaosl."
Lemieux is a great example how team and individual success go hand-in-hand.
Development at Dartmouth
One reason Lemieux is in this position is growth and development.
From someone who had just one Division I offer, to now an NFL prospect, he couldn't have done it without Dartmouth. And Dartmouth wouldn't be the same without Lemieux.
One area of growth has been the weight room.
"I came in a little lanky," he said. "I was maybe 260 pounds soaking wet as a first-year offensive lineman, which isn't exactly playing weight. Getting some of that exposure early and seeing what it was like in real time to play against these guys, I took it to heart."
As Lemieux admitted, failure is a great motivator.
"I didn't want to go back on the field and mess up or not be able to perform for our team, which stuck in the back of my mind," he said. "Every year, it was in increments. Junior to senior, I made a big jump from the 280s to around 295 going into camp and I felt fast and strong."
"Huge thanks to strength and conditioning coaches, Coach (Spencer) Brown in my first couple years and Coach (Conor) McNally in the back half," Lemieux continued. "They do so much for us as players, and we spend so much time with them by what we do in the offseason."
On the field, Lemieux entered Dartmouth with plenty of athleticism. His position coach, Clark, has helped him grow into the all-around offensive lineman he is today.
"Throughout his career, we continued to reestablish his goals as it became evident he had unique skills and talent," said Clark. "Delby's work ethic and the serious nature that he went about developing his craft, contributed to his exceptional performances as he got older. Delby is proof positive that being blessed with ability is only part of the equation. He bought into the development process and worked hard to make himself better every single day in the weight room, on the field and in the film room."
Lemieux has learned and grown so much as a person as well, just by the standards Dartmouth football operates.
"Always be on time," he said. "Never make excuses. There's a right way to do things and the way you do one thing is how you do everything, which every single one of our coaches preached."
Lemieux pointed to multiple sayings that have stuck with him.
"Coach Clark always says, 'Don't let your lack of preparation constitute a state of emergency for others.' He also says, 'Take part in your own rescue.' What you accomplish is going to be reflected in how much time and effort you're willing to put in."
Lemieux couldn't be more grateful for the lessons he's learned, like these, and the people who have surrounded him at Dartmouth.
"I've had a lot of great role models in this program," he said. "Every single one of like the offensive lineman were hard working guys on the field, really kind off the field, super intelligent and were just doing everything right — something Coach T (Teevens) and Coach McCorkle instilled in us."
Lemieux's Time to Shine
Lemieux is ready for his next challenge, the Senior Bowl, then hopefully after that, preparing for the next level.
Most of all, Lemieux wants to walk away from Senior Bowl week with no regrets.
"I want to walk away from this event knowing I gave it my all, and that I was able to compete on the same level as kids from these bigger schools," he said. "What's it going to be like coming from a smaller (FCS) program?"
It's something Lemieux thinks about, but doesn't phase him either.
"Play within yourself, do what you're taught to do, rely on your fundamentals and at the end of the day, football is football," he said. "You just have to play the game, don't let up and give everything you've got while you're out there."
It's not every day someone from the Ivy League is invited to such a prestigious event, which Lemieux doesn't take for granted. It's a well-earned invitation for the offensive lineman from Duxbury, Massachusetts.
"I'm super honored to represent our school," he said. "And I really do think it's a culmination of the work that we put in as a team, and as a 2026 class, over the last four years."
Lemieux hopes to show his athleticism and versatility at Saturday's Senior Bowl.
"Being light on your feet and being able to deliver big blocks is something I'd like to showcase," he said. "I know I'm on the smaller side, relatively speaking, to some of these other linemen. I don't view that as a disadvantage. Everyone has something about them that makes them special."
McCorkle sees a lot of traits Lemieux can use to his advantage.
"You can probably line him up at tight end and run routes," said McCorkle. "Delby's footwork, his athleticism, his ability to be an aggressive blocker at the same time and his ability to get out and block in space [makes him special]. He also has the ability, the mindset, the knowledge and intelligence to play center at that next level.
"You could put him at tackle, guard or center," McCorkle continued. "That versatility is going to be very beneficial for him."
Remember what else was beneficial for Lemieux? His mindset that nothing is guaranteed, and everything would have to be earned.
Delby Lemieux is ready to prove himself all over again at the Senior Bowl… and beyond.
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