Note: The following appears in the Georgia Tech football digital gameday guide, available HERE.
Jeremiah Alexander’s college football journey has been about more than finding his place on the football field. It has been about discovering the value of hard work, building lasting relationships and growing into a leader, both on and off the gridiron.
A highly touted recruit coming out of high school, Alexander arrived at Alabama with aspirations of making an immediate impact. However, limited playing opportunities forced him to reevaluate his approach to the game and develop the work ethic that has drawn praise from Head Coach Dabo Swinney and become one of his defining characteristics.
"Early on at Alabama, I wasn’t playing a lot, and football was really my life," stated Alexander. "I went into overdrive mode to where I was just trying to do anything and everything to get the opportunity to play."
That determination has followed Alexander to Clemson, where he has continued to develop as a player while embracing opportunities to grow as a person.
Alexander's football journey began in first grade, when he started playing running back before eventually transitioning to defense. Growing up, he also participated in baseball, basketball, wrestling and track before receiving his first college football scholarship offer from South Alabama entering eighth grade.
That opportunity helped Alexander recognize his potential to play at the college level and ultimately led him to concentrate on football.
While his dedication to the sport has been evident throughout his career, Alexander credited much of his work ethic and character to the example set by his father.
"He's always been hard-working, and anything I ever needed he was able to provide for me. He was definitely my role model growing up."
Alexander recalled watching his father tackle challenges around the house, whether fixing a vehicle or handling other repairs. Those experiences left a lasting impression on him and helped shape his approach to overcoming adversity.
After transferring to Clemson, Alexander reunited with former Thompson High School teammate Peter Woods, who helped ease his transition into a new environment. The two were roommates during Alexander's first year with the Tigers, providing a familiar connection as he adjusted to life in Clemson.
However, Woods' departure for the NFL presented Alexander with a different opportunity, the chance to establish his own identity within the program.
"When I first moved here, Peter was my roommate, so it was kind of whoever Peter was hanging out with, that's who I was hanging out with as well.”
With Woods no longer around, Alexander has made a concerted effort to develop relationships with teammates across the roster rather than relying on his longtime friendship.
"I've been able to branch out and build those relationships on my own now. It’s been a blessing to get to know the guys and be more of a leader this year."
Those relationships have extended beyond his fellow linebackers and defensive teammates. Alexander has also taken an interest in mentoring younger players, including freshman quarterback Tait Reynolds.
“As a veteran, I've been trying to pour into him and give him good, positive feedback and while being an uplifting leader.”
Some of Alexander's favorite memories at Clemson have come away from the spotlight of gamedays. He recalled spending evenings around campfires at bellow linebacker Sammy Brown's house during the offseason, where conversations and time together helped strengthen the team's bond.
Alexander also pointed to the team's demanding offseason workouts as another source of unity, explaining that working through difficult challenges together brought the players closer.
"You build that brotherhood when you're suffering out there.”
That sense of brotherhood reflects the culture that initially attracted him to Clemson.
The Tigers were already familiar with Alexander during his recruitment out of high school. He recalled having a cake featuring both Clemson and Alabama on his mother's birthday before making his college decision.
Years later, Alexander believes the program has remained consistent with the values that made it appealing to him as a recruit.
"Clemson has stayed true to who they are. Coach Swinney does a very good job of making sure the family culture is a priority here."
Away from football, Alexander describes himself as a simple person who enjoys reading and spending time outdoors. While he previously spent more of his free time playing video games, he now prefers quieter activities that allow him to disconnect from the distractions of everyday life.
"I like going on walks and being outside in nature. It’s very peaceful.”
Through the P.A.W. Journey program, #7 has also taken advantage of opportunities beyond his playing career. During a microinternship at the NFL's headquarters, he gained first-hand exposure to the business operations of professional football.
As someone who has spent much of his life focused on playing the game, the experience offered a different perspective on an industry he hopes to remain connected to in the future.
"Going to see the behind the scenes of how the billion-dollar business is run was very eye-opening and interesting.”
As his college career nears its conclusion, Alexander looks back on his time at Alabama and Clemson with gratitude for the experiences that have shaped him, both on and off the field. While his time at Alabama presented challenges that required personal reflection and sacrifice, Alexander believes those experiences helped him develop as a player and person.
At Clemson, he has found a family-oriented environment that has allowed him to build meaningful relationships with coaches and teammates.
"My time at Clemson has been a blessing. I've been able to really build a relationship with coaches as well as teammates the last two years. It's very family-oriented, and the culture here is a brotherhood."
Alexander also expressed his appreciation for Clemson's fanbase, acknowledging its continued support.
"Every Saturday we go out there with the expectation to dominate. We put in so much effort and make sacrifices to put on a show for the fans, and I want to thank all of them for continuing to show up week in and week out."
While his journey has not always unfolded as he initially envisioned, the lessons he has learned have helped him develop a perspective that extends far beyond football.
For Alexander, his time at Clemson has become about more than the opportunities he has earned on the field. It has been about the relationships he has built, the example he hopes to set for younger teammates and the person he will be when his playing days are over.