On to the Big Time: Former Flames pursue their professional dreams in NFL rookie seasons

The year 2020 was a banner season for Flames Football in more ways than one. The third-year FBS program experienced its finest season in program history, finishing with a 10-1 record capped by a second consecutive Cure Bowl victory and an end-of-the-year No. 17 AP Poll national ranking. Amidst the excitement for the current Flames team members, there is also reason to celebrate three of the 2019 season’s seniors who went on to play in National Football League (NFL) franchises this past season.

Wide receiver Antonio Gandy-Golden (Washington Football Team), defensive end/outside linebacker Jessie Lemonier (Los Angeles Chargers), and safety Elijah Benton (Cleveland Browns) were all overlooked recruits who helped the Flames transition from the FCS to the FBS ranks from 2018-19 before defying the odds and making NFL rosters this past fall.

After Gandy-Golden’s remarkable college football career that saw the 6-foot-4-inch wide receiver surpass the 1,000-yard receiving mark in three consecutive seasons, he left his alma mater as the Flames’ all-time leader in receiving yards (3,722), receptions (231), and touchdowns (32). He was featured on ESPN on draft weekend in a video titled, ‘The uncut gem who does it all,’ which raved about the gifted pass catcher’s many talents that include bowling and the rare ability to understand the ins and outs of the Rubik’s Cube. Gandy-Golden was selected in the fourth round of the 2020 NFL Draft by the Washington Football Team but spent the majority of the 2020 regular season on injured reserve. In limited playing time throughout six games, he rushed for 22 yards and hauled in one catch for three yards.

Overlooked and underappreciated coming out of high school, Lemonier joined the Flames in 2018 after playing at Ventura College in Ventura, Calif., becoming the third player in program history to register 10 or more sacks in a season that first year. After walking away from the 2019 Cure Bowl with the game’s MVP trophy, the determined pass rusher trained diligently for the 2020 NFL Draft, hoping to hear his name called like his brother, All-SEC Auburn linebacker Corey Lemonier, who was selected in the third round by the San Francisco 49ers in 2013. Lemonier was not drafted, but was instead contacted by the Chargers following the draft. After spending time on both the team’s practice squad and active roster over the course of the season, Lemonier finished 2020 with two tackles in six games.

Standing tall at 6-1 and weighing in at a solid 205 pounds, Benton proved to be a frustration to opposing quarterbacks and an intimidating centerpiece throughout his college tenure at Liberty. Though blessed in size and stature, NFL teams chose to either draft quicker safeties or similar ones to Benton who had played a higher level of collegiate competition. Despite the disappointment at not being drafted, Benton kept the faith and received an offer to attend Cleveland’s training camp. The underdog impressed the Browns’ coaching staff and was signed to the team’s practice roster. In the midst of the 2020 regular season, Benton was named to the active roster and played in his first NFL game on Oct. 18 against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Heinz Field.

Flames Football can hope to see these three alumni continue to pursue their dreams of playing football at the highest level for years to come.