During practice, all football players wear devices to monitor data from their workouts. The devices resemble Iron Man’s chest plate, and they record everything from speed and explosiveness to acceleration and force generated.
One man who consistently posts the highest numbers is offensive lineman Shane Lemieux. His work ethic not only makes him stand out on game day, but it also makes him a prime example for coaches.
The junior from Yakima, Washington, listed as 6-foot-4 and 315 pounds, hasn’t missed a start in two seasons. After redshirting his freshman year, he built himself into one of the best linemen in the Pac-12. Before the season started, his teammates surprised him by voting him the team’s most improved player.
Head coach Mario Cristobal believes Lemieux is the caliber of player everyone should aspire to be like.
“I could go on and on about him because that’s what you want every player on your team to be like,” head coach Mario Cristobal said. “This guy is a true professional in his approach to what he does on a daily basis.”
Cristobal and the other coaches make younger players watch how Lemieux and other experienced offensive linemen, such as Calvin Throckmorton and Jake Hanson, apply a professional approach to their game.
Quarterback Justin Herbert has seen firsthand how effective Lemieux and the linemen can be on the field.
“Fortunately I’ve been here the past three years with them so I’ve seen them grow,” quarterback Justin Herbert said. “It’s been fun to see them step up and take on a bigger role on the offense.”
On the practice field as a redshirt freshman, Lemieux was able to build his skills against one of the best defensive lineman Oregon has ever had. He practiced daily against defensive lineman DeForest Buckner, a first-round pick by the San Francisco 49ers in 2016.
Lemieux’s reputation as a workhorse made him a prime example for the coaches to show younger players what dedication looks like. Lemieux credits Cristobal in helping instill a positive work-focused mentality for the team.
“I gotta give all the credit to him and how well of a coach he is and how dialed in he makes us and how prepared he makes us for this game,” he said.
Oregon will need to lean on Lemieux’s experience and the team’s chemistry as they head to Pullman, Washington, to face No. 25 Washington State, currently tied for second place with Oregon in the Pac-12 North.
Chemistry is critical to an offensive line, and it can, and will, make or break Oregon’s success in Pullman. They have to know every play and are directly involved in every snap. Oregon’s offensive line has been solid all year, from creating opportunities for freshman running backs to protecting Herbert.
Through six games, Oregon’s offensive line has been one of the most reliable in the Pac-12.
Herbert has been sacked just eight times this year
“He really is a guy I’m sure people don’t like to play against, because he’s on you all day,” Cristobal said. “He’s relentless. He’s not going to stop — endless battery, tremendous motor.”
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