Diamond in the Rough: Lemanuel Turnipseed

Lemanuel Turnipseed is a 6’0,” 190-pound wide receiver and tight end from Dutchtown High School in Geismar, Louisiana in the class of 2022. He has recorded a 40-yard dash time of 4.57, along with a vertical of 32.4 and a bench press maximum of 265 pounds. In track and field, he has run 11.14 seconds for the 100-meter dash. To learn more about who Lemanuel is as a person and as a player, read below.

Link to Lemanuel’s Hudl profile: https://www.hudl.com/profile/11330643/Lemanuel-Turnipseed

At what age did you begin playing football?

I was into other sports before. I ran track, played baseball and I also played basketball.

What motivated you to get into playing this sport?

My dad motivated me because he has always wanted me to play football. He wanted me to carry a family legacy because the rest of my family played.

What does football mean to you?

Football means a lot to me, actually. I’m able to get away from life, have fun and enjoy it. I love getting to learn life lessons with my teammates and push forward through the sport.

What’s the biggest thing that you learned through football? 

The biggest thing I’ve learned from football is being a leader on and off the field, and carrying yourself a certain way on and off the field. I try to give my best, so the people who look up to me have a good example.

What’s been the highlight of your football career so far? 

My proudest moment was 2 years ago in the first round of the playoffs. We got to celebrate with my teammates and my coaches.

What’s your favorite thing about your position?

Being able to make plays, help my teammates and perform at my best.

What would you say are your main strengths on the field?

Knowing how to convert first downs, being able to move down the field and complete my task.

How do you think coaches and teammates would describe you? 

Strong, humble, courageous and confident.

What would you tell younger players who want to play high school football one day?

I would tell them to just have fun, and enjoy playing whatever you can, while you can.

What’s the best part about playing football in Louisiana?

The atmosphere. I love the atmosphere because there is nothing like it anywhere else. It’s very fun to play in. 

How was it adapting to new restrictions with COVID?

We adjusted pretty well. We were able to work around it, follow the rules and still perform highly. We’re still going through those restrictions, but we’re doing very well right now.

How do you balance your schoolwork and football?

I do more school work than practicing with football because I know grades come first. I treat my grades as my No. 1 priority before football.

How do you prepare for an upcoming game?

I always watch Ja’Marr Chase highlights or Odell Beckham Jr. highlights.

Is there a specific song or artist that gets you hype before each game? 

I always like to listen to either Lil Baby or Tupac.

How do you handle wins and losses?

Wins, I celebrate with my team. But, not too much because I know the end goal is to win a state championship. Losses, I take it as a lesson and move on to the next game.

Do you have a favorite NFL or College Athlete and what elements, if any, do you take from their game?

My favorite college athlete was Ja’Marr Chase. I have always looked up to him because we relate more than I thought, football-wise. My favorite NFL player is, well Ja’Marr Chase too, but DK Metcalf because we also relate football-wise and performance-wise.

Where do you see yourself in five years?

I could see myself at a D1 college playing football, and majoring in accounting.

What would you bring to a college team that is different?

I would bring awareness and self-leadership because I know eventually, whenever I get used the atmosphere of college football, I will be able to perform at my best and lead the team in whatever way possible.

What things are you looking for most in a college football program?

I’m looking for someone to accept me, and for someone to have a winning history.

If you can pick any one person, dead or alive, to sit down with and ask anything you want, who would you pick, and what would you ask?

I would probably choose Kobe because I always wanted to have the Kobe mentality over anything. Physically playing football, mentally and educationally.

What is one thing could you not go a day without?

Family because without family, I would not be where I am right now.

What hobbies do you have outside of sports?

I like to study, do school work, read and spend a lot of my time with family. I only have one sibling, but she means the world to me.