GRAND FORKS – Devin Hembry compared junior college football to an uphill battle.
“There are people who are hungry every day,” he said, “who are ready to take your place when you are not at your best.”
That was Hembry’s motivation at the start of his career at Northeastern Oklahoma A&M – play well and make it to Division I. Now, in his third year at UND, the motivation for the fifth-year defensive back is different. Hembry became a father to Laylani Marie in May.
“I want to train even harder now,” he said. “Some days I’m tired and I’m like, ‘Oh, sit back and try to catch my breath.’ But now I don’t even worry about being able to catch my breath. I just worry about doing my best every day and improving before the season starts so I can be at my best all season long in hopes of achieving that ultimate dream.”
Hembry has played in every game in his first two seasons as a Fighting Hawk, but has only started once after playing behind CJ Siegel and Edmund Ocansey last year. He’s using his junior college experience and knows little things like film study will help him earn a spot in the starting lineup.
“These guys have been in the program a long time,” said assistant coach Travis Stepps. “They just haven’t had a chance to really show what they can do because they’ve always come off the bench as substitutes. Now they’ve been in the system for two or three years and they’re ready for a bigger role. I’m excited to see what they can do.”
Last season, Hembry tied for the team lead with two interceptions and finished ninth on the overall list with 32 tackles.
He said he feels “much more comfortable” at the start of his fifth season because he now understands every aspect of defense.
“He’s grown up quite a bit,” Stepps said. “He comes from a junior college system where you’re just focused on getting yourself in a better situation to get here, not knowing anybody, and where it’s more about the team’s success. He’s learned the playbook and learned our system, and we’re excited to use him everywhere, at cornerback, at nickel positions and on special teams.”
His teammates now call Hembry the “old guy in the room,” he said. He has embraced the title because he has been looking forward to the chance to be a leader for years.
“It gives me energy,” he said. “As long as someone is looking up to me, it feels good.”
