Rasheen “Rock” Lemon, redshirt junior outside linebacker, learned the hard way that being a student-athlete meant taking care of business in the classroom so he could take to the field.

Lemon was suspended indefinitely last season after two games because of an academic issue. He missed the remainder of the season and didn’t make it back onto the Huskies’ roster until fall camp.

“I had to get my head right, back together,” Lemon said. “… Just get my mind back to the right place where I know where I should be at. I’m grown up; I’m a grown man now, so I have to take the repercussions that come down.”

With his academics in order, Lemon made his return to the field against Presbyterian Aug. 28. Through three games he’s tallied 17 tackles, two tackles for loss, two sacks, one quarterback hurry and one forced fumble.

Lemon’s biggest game came against Northwestern, when he recorded a career-high nine tackles and two sacks, picking up MAC West Division Player of the Week honors for his performance.

“With getting suspended last year and coming back, beating a Big Ten team and winning MAC [West Division] Player of the Week, it’s not even a feeling I can explain to you how I feel right about now,” Lemon said.

Lemon’s impact on the field has been more than noticeable among his teammates and coaches, especially with him filling in for redshirt senior linebacker Jamaal Bass, a 2013 All-MAC First Team selection who has been sidelined since fall camp while recovering from a leg injury.

“He came back after being out for a year, and he really got his head in the playbook even harder, hit the film room even harder and hits his workouts even harder,” said redshirt senior linebacker Michael Santacaterina. “… He’s a leader on this defense. He’s a leader on this team. People look up to him. He’s had a voice. I think having him back has really fired up these young guys, and it’s been a big overall help to our defense.”

Linebackers coach Kevin Kane said he’s seen improvements in the physical and mental aspects of Lemon’s game compared to where the linebacker was last season before his suspension.

“I think he’s looked great,” Kane said. “He came out, being a year removed from football, and he’s done an awesome job getting his mind back and his body back in a good position … . He’s bounced back quite well.

“I think he’s more of a student of the game; he’s going to study opponents a lot more now than he did previously. He’s matured a lot. I think he’s learned a lot in this past year that a lot of kids his age haven’t had to go through, and I think that’s made him realize how important certain things are.”

Lemon’s renewed motivation to play isn’t lost on his peers, who’ve seen his increased appreciation for the game of football.

“I think he’s better off for the suspension. I think he’s learned from it,” Santacaterina said. “… You can just see that he’s learned that football can be taken away from you, and he’s really trying to give it his all every day, every play.”

Lemon is relishing his time with the Huskies because he knows how it feels to not be able to play the game he loves.

“It feels awesome” to be back, Lemon said. “Awesome to be around the team, awesome to be around the coaches, the environment, the school. I just love it all.”