Ever since he was a little boy D.J. Greenlee has been around the Clemson football program. His dad, Larry, is Clemson football’s assistant director of strength and conditioning. Larry was also a four-time ACC track & field champion when he was student athlete at Clemson and twice was a national runner-up.

So Clemson Orange is truly in D.J.’s blood, more so than perhaps any player on the team. That’s why the senior says Saturday’s game against The Citadel is going to be an emotional day for him and his dad because he will run down the hill and play in his final game in Death Valley.

“I’m kind of nervous. I grew up with this program so now that I am about to leave, it is kind of hitting me,” D.J. said. “I am just trying to take it day by day.”

D.J. described coming to Clemson as a family thing. Everyone in the family went to Clemson.

“I got a National Championship, I graduated, I got to be at a great place like this for five years and it has really been a blessing,” he said.

Those blessings for Greenlee came in many ways for D.J. He says his memories have come during his days as a kid and as a player.

“As a child, it was the first time being able to go onto a field after the game,” he said. “Someone took a picture of me that got put in the newspaper. I was kicking a field goal with my dad and it is still on our refrigerator to this day.

“Having that picture, along the picture of me and my dad hugging on the sideline, in the rain, after the Notre Dame game two years ago, we both were so happy. That was probably one of my best memories, then of course winning the National Championship last year.”

As for what’s next for D.J. after his college career? Well, he does want to work in the NFL, but it is not what you think.

“Yes, I want to do pro-scouting for NFL teams,” D.J. said. “I have to get all of that situated. I’m going to try the Pro Day and stuff but I really want to get out in the real world and start working.”