The 2026 Panini Senior Bowl will provide an opportunity for NFL draft prospects to showcase themselves on the largest pre-draft stage. Dartmouth offensive lineman Delby Lemieux plans on taking full advantage. Lemieux recently spoke exclusively with the Senior Bowl and Draft Network to discuss his motivation for accepting his invitation to compete in Mobile, Alabama.
Lemieux also discussed what he's striving to prove to NFL general managers and scouts in attendance at the Senior Bowl, representing Dartmouth in Mobile, how he’d write his own scouting report, and more. Let's get to know Lemieux better ahead of his journey to the Panini Senior Bowl.
JM: Where were you when you found out about your Senior Bowl invite, and what was your initial reaction?
Delby Lemieux: I was actually driving home from getting my Dunkin’ Donuts coffee in the morning (laughs). My agent gave me a call to inform me I’d been invited to the Senior Bowl. He asked me if I was sitting down (laughs).
I didn’t know what was coming. He shared the news with me at that moment. I actually pulled over into a nearby parking spot to take it all in. It was an unreal feeling.
JM: That sounds like an unforgettable moment for you. It doesn’t sound like you needed much convincing, but what motivated you to accept the Senior Bowl’s offer?
Delby Lemieux: We all know what the Senior Bowl is all about. As soon as I heard the news, I was fully on board and ready to accept my invite on the spot. Attending the Senior Bowl is a special opportunity.
I’m ready to compete with the best of the best in the country. That was really the driving factor for me. I’m excited to take these next steps in my football career.
JM: What are you hoping to prove to NFL general managers, coaching staffs, and scouts in attendance in Mobile?
Delby Lemieux: I want to prove that I can play on the offensive line at the next level. I know there are questions coming out of a smaller school in the FCS. I’m going to be looked at as a “smaller” player. I want to show that I can put on some size and carry that good weight.
I’m ready for the responsibility of being an offensive lineman at the next level. That’s really my goal at the Senior Bowl, regardless of the position I play.
JM: You played a ton of tackle at Dartmouth. What versatility are you hoping to display in Mobile? Are you hoping to show that you can play different positions? Have you heard any feedback that NFL teams think you may be a guard at the next level?
Delby Lemieux: Previously at Dartmouth, I definitely took my lion's share of reps at offensive tackle. That was the case for most of my career. I’ve only taken occasional guard and center reps at practice.
I definitely want to prove that I’m a versatile player. I want to take those reps inside at guard and center. I’ve been training to play inside and I plan on applying those teachings when I get to Mobile.
JM: We love that versatility. How would you write your own scouting report? Self-scout yourself for us.
Delby Lemieux: That’s a tough one. I think some of the things that were important to my game throughout my college career, especially as an offensive lineman, have been physicality. I like to play under control. It’s a ground-up game.
I put my body in good positions to be successful. I play with physicality in the run game. I like to get inside, get tight on my assignment. I keep my feet moving to displace bodies in the run game.
The mental aspect of the game is important to me as well. Like most offensive linemen, I try to stay calm and collected. It’s about weathering the storm throughout the course of a game. I don’t let the circumstances get to me. I want to lead an offensive line to get the job done.
JM: Are you more of a phone-booth blocker or agile in space?
Delby Lemieux: That’s a good question. I think playing offensive tackle at Dartmouth taught me a lot about both approaches. Sometimes at tackle, you put yourself in a position where you’re playing out in space.
I also love being nitty-gritty and getting into a fight in the phone booth. We ran a lot of inside zone at Dartmouth. It definitely taught me a lot. I went on a journey from my freshman year to add more size. I got bigger to fight guys in the run game to play through the final whistle.
JM: Coming out of Dartmouth, I bet you’re heading to the Senior Bowl with that small-school chip on your shoulder.
Delby Lemieux: Yeah, I definitely am. I’d like to prove that I can play at the next level, that I can handle playing next to prospects who hail from bigger programs. That’s definitely something I want to showcase in Mobile.
I’d have a lot of support along this journey, from coaches to my friends and family. They’ve believed in me this entire time. I want to prove them right.
JM: That’s a great answer. If you had to compare yourself to a current NFL offensive tackle, who would you choose and why? Is there anyone in particular you try to study and learn from?
Delby Lemieux: I definitely enjoy watching Detroit Lions right tackle Penei Sewell. He’s a fun guy to watch on tape. You watch him in pass protection, he’s very light on his feet. There’s no switch-up in his game when he transitions as a run blocker.
He’s a road grader when he needs to be. I’ve always enjoyed turning on the TV and watching Penei Sewell play.
JM: We’ve appreciated your time today. At the end of the week, what does a successful Senior Bowl look like for Delby Lemieux?
Delby Lemieux: I’m just looking to maximize my opportunity at the end of the day. Every rep matters. My aim is to leave the Senior Bowl without any regrets over how I performed and interacted with the people around me.
I just want the Senior Bowl to be a great experience.