CHARLOTTE — Jeremiah Alexander’s addition has had a profound impact on the entire roster.

Clemson signed the former five-star linebacker out of the transfer portal after last season, and while many have wondered about what Alexander’s role on the field will be, just his presence in the locker room has already had a massive impact, and it has been felt since his very first workout.

Veteran defensive end TJ Parker has always liked to arrive at the facility a little early to get a head start on things, but even he was surprised by how much of a head start Alexander was getting on everyone else inside the building.

“His first workout here, the workout started at 6 am, and he is in the weight room at 4:40,” Parker said during the ACC Kickoff. “I am walking in the weight room thinking I am early at 5:00-5:10 and he’s already sweating, warmed up and ready to go.”

In fact, it is quite common for Alexander to arrive that early and stay for well over 12 hours.

“He will be there from five in the morning until about eight at night,” Parker added. “He works so hard. I am so ready to see him ball because he has put in so much work.”

Alexander spent his first three seasons at Alabama, where he was part of an extremely crowded linebacker room. Much of his work came on special teams during his time in Tuscaloosa, and the hope is that the change of scenery will kick-start a career that has yet to really get off the ground.

While his role on the field has yet to be determined, one thing is certain: he is taking the necessary steps to get on the field, and that work ethic of his has rubbed off on the entire team.

“I am not the one to just let somebody outwork me, so I start showing up, and I tell all the defensive ends, if I am coming in early, let’s all get this extra work in. Prehab before we work out and be ready to go,” Parker said. “Then it went from the d-line to the linebackers doing it, and now the whole team comes in an hour before the workout just to get activated. Whether that is hot tub warming up or getting taped and doing all these rehab things, just so we can be ready to go and attack the workout, it has elevated the entire team.”