CLEMSON — When Jeremiah Alexander arrived on campus earlier this year, it didn’t take long for his new teammates to take notice of his work ethic.

Alexander almost immediately began coming into the facility at the crack of dawn, if not before, while routinely staying well into the evening. It’s a mindset that was instilled in him at an early age, and no matter how his career might play out, he is determined to make sure no one outworks him.

“If everybody worked like Jeremiah Alexander, this would be the easiest job in America,” head coach Dabo Swinney said before the start of camp.

Alexander spent his first three years at Alabama before transferring to Clemson after last season. While the former five-star’s career with the Crimson Tide didn’t quite pan out the way most envisioned, it wasn’t because he wasn’t putting in the work. Just like he is now, he was one of the hardest-working players on the Alabama roster, although he took a more low-profile approach.

However, at Clemson, his habits off the field have been infectious, and it didn’t take long for his work habits to rub off on the rest of his teammates. What started as him coming in early to put in extra work has evolved into pretty much every single player on the team doing the same.

“It was more low-key while I was at Alabama,” Alexander added. “When I came here, I was rooming with Peter Woods, and we just kind of made it a thing to come in, and everybody else just started catching on to the vibes. We got offensive guys doing it, defensive guys doing it.”

Again, it is a mindset that was instilled in him at an early age, and for that, the credit goes to Alexander’s father.

“My dad definitely instilled that work ethic in me,” he said. “He worked two jobs when I was growing up. Just seeing my dad always working hard. It started in youth league. First grade, first year of playing football right out of the gate. My dad said in order to be the best, you have to work like the best.”

“He would have all the guys running stadiums, pushing sleds, pushing tires, just doing little things extra each and every day.”

Work like the best he does, and at some point, that hard work is going to pay off on the field. Alexander fully believes that. And when his number is called, he will be ready, no matter what is being asked of him.

“I just want to come in and make an impact on and off the field,” he said. “Whether that is on special teams, whether that is playing SAM, MIKE or WILL, I am just trying to be a role player for the guys. Just trying to make a name for myself.”