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NBC Sports
5 days ago
- Sport
- NBC Sports
Rams' undersized, undrafted rookie center Willie Lampkin raising eyebrows in preseason
Willie Lampkin was a starting guard for five years of college football, and at North Carolina last season he was a first-team All-American and won the Jacobs Blocking Trophy as the best offensive lineman in the ACC. With that kind of résumé, you'd think he would have been a top draft prospect. One problem: At North Carolina's Pro Day, Lampkin measured at just under 5-foot-11, and he weighed 279 pounds. NFL teams don't want offensive linemen who are that small. Lampkin went undrafted. But Lampkin signed as an undrafted free agent with the Rams, has worked primarily at center, and in the Rams' preseason debut he put on a show: Undrafted rookie offensive linemen aren't often the subject of highlight videos, but the NFL's official Reddit account posted a video showing Lampkin making four pancake blocks in the Rams' preseason opener against the Cowboys. That's getting Lampkin noticed, and Rams head coach Sean McVay said after the preseason game that Lampkin stood out not just on social media, but to the Rams' coaching staff. 'I thought he did a nice job,' McVay said of Lampkin. 'Obviously, he has great leverage, can get underneath people and be able to finish. That was what you loved about him at North Carolina, but just a competitor. He's tough, he's physical. He understands how to play to his strengths. I think he's done a really good job, I thought a lot of guys did a nice job, but I was pleased with Willie.' The odds are stacked against any undrafted rookie, and especially one who's as undersized as Lampkin. But at some point, a player's performance on the field has to matter more than his height and weight. If Lampkin keeps playing this way in the preseason, he's going to force his way onto the roster.
USA Today
10-06-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
5 undrafted rookies who could stand out for the Rams this summer
5 undrafted rookies who could stand out for the Rams this summer The Los Angeles Rams added 17 undrafted free agents after the draft this year, bringing in a wealth of young talent to compete for the final roster spots on the team. They're a team that often has at least one undrafted rookie make the team each year and this season shouldn't be any different. Among their undrafted rookies are an All-American linebacker and a dominant guard who's shockingly undersized, but both of them have a chance to make the 53-man squad this fall. Here are five UDFAs who could stand out in practice this summer when the Rams move into minicamp and training camp. LB Shaun Dolac Dolac was one of the best linebackers in the country last season, leading the FBS with 168 tackles as a consensus All-American. He also had 6.5 sacks and five interceptions, doing it all for Buffalo. He has physical limitations from a size and speed perspective, but the linebacker group is wide open for the Rams so he'll have a chance to stand out during minicamp and training camp. The Rams gave him $25,000 guaranteed, the second-most among their undrafted rookies, so they clearly liked him out of Buffalo. OL Willie Lampkin Lampkin earned $30,000 guaranteed from the Rams as an undrafted rookie, the most in LA's class. He's a former Jacobs Blocking Trophy winner as the ACC's best blocker, dominating on the interior for the North Carolina Tar Heels. He gave up zero sacks and only eight pressures all of last season, so he was excellent in pass protection. The Rams are fairly deep at guard and center but Lampkin will have a chance to make the 53-man roster if he can overcome the fact that he's only 5-foot-10 and 270 pounds – severely undersized by NFL standards. OL Trey Wedig Wedig hails from Indiana and brings with him a 6-foot-6 and 310-pound frame. He has the ability to play either guard or tackle, which will only help his chances of making the Rams' roster because of how much value they punt into versatile linemen. Last season, he had the eighth-best run-blocking grade of any offensive tackle who played at least 500 snaps, so the potential is there for him to make it in the NFL. S Malik Dixon-Williams You don't need to be a high draft pick to make the Rams' roster as a safety, as evidenced by Jordan Fuller, Quentin Lake and undrafted free agent Jaylen McCollough. Dixon-Williams is an athletic safety with a 40.5-inch vertical but his ball skills and instincts are what will make him a player to watch in training camp. Kamren Kinchens, Kamren Curl and McCollough are atop the depth chart, with Lake playing more of a nickel role, so Dixon-Williams could be the fourth safety when it's all said and done. WR Mario Williams Williams is a smaller receiver at only 5-foot-9 but he's incredibly quick and can contribute on special teams as a returner. Behind Davante Adams, Puka Nacua, Tutu Atwell and Jordan Whittington, there's a lot of room for shuffling at wide receiver. The Rams won't be afraid to keep an undersized wideout like Williams after keeping Xavier Smith and other smaller receivers on the roster over the years, so if he makes enough plays in practice, the opportunity will be there for him to take. Follow Rams Wire on X, Facebook and Threads for more coverage!
Yahoo
07-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
NFL Legend Andrew Whitworth Gives Advice to Patriots' Will Campbell
NFL Legend Andrew Whitworth Gives Advice to Patriots' Will Campbell originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Upon closer observation of Andrew Whitworth's and Will Campbell's backgrounds, it does not come as a shock that the two have developed a strong bond. Advertisement Whitworth and Campbell grew up in Monroe, Louisiana, which is just under 200 miles from the state capital of Baton Rouge, where they both played college football at LSU. They even played the majority of their collegiate snaps at the same position: left tackle. Over the years, the two have engaged in continuous conversation, as Whitworth saw Campbell continue on an upward trajectory that strongly mirrored his own, and Campbell looked up to Whitworth as both a mentor and friend. "I've been in those shoes. So, I think it's important, when you've been there, to give a little love back," Whitworth told Sean T. McGuire. "That's really the dynamic of our relationship. We're from the same place. We've got a lot of respect for each other." Whitworth has remained close to Campbell as he transitions into the next stage of his career, and he offered some advice to Campbell before the New England Patriots youngster begins his journey in the professional ranks. Advertisement "I think one of the biggest things for all young athletes is to continue to be yourself," Whitworth said. "What makes you special? Don't lose sight of that." New England Patriots offensive tackle Will Campbell (66) speaks to the media after rookie camp at Gillette Canha-Imagn Images Whitworth added that he believes Campbell's new surroundings will allow him to succeed on and off the field early in his career. "When you look at Gillette [Stadium], and you look at that setup in Foxborough, that is Monroe and West Monroe, Louisiana, on a much bigger scale," Whitworth said. "The colors, the environment, the setting in the middle of the community... I mean, that is really what the Patriots are in that environment. So, that sense of pride and that element that he's going to be in is going to remind him a lot of playing in North Louisiana." Advertisement Campbell, who the Patriots selected with the No. 4 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, signed a four-year, $43.66 million contract with the team on Tuesday. $28.39 million of that contract was guaranteed as a signing bonus. Campbell was a Consensus All-American, All-SEC First Teamer, and winner of the Jacobs Blocking Trophy (which is awarded annually to the top offensive lineman in the SEC) in his final collegiate season with the Tigers. Related: Patriots Rookie RB Treveyon Henderson Compared to Lions Star Jahmyr Gibbs This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 6, 2025, where it first appeared.
USA Today
28-04-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
2 of Rams UDFAs named among best non-picked players from 2025 NFL Draft
2 of Rams UDFAs named among best non-picked players from 2025 NFL Draft The Los Angeles Rams added six players in the 2025 NFL Draft, but also signed a few undrafted free agents as well to bring to camps throughout the summer. They'll compete with the rest of the team for roster spots, and a few might even make the final 53-man roster. The Rams have had a lot of success with undrafted players recently. Alaric Jackson went undrafted in 2021 and has been the team's starting left tackle for two and a half seasons. Omar Speights went undrafted in 2024 and is now poised to be L.A.'s starting inside linebacker. It's too early to know if any of the 2025 UDFAs will make names for themselves on the Rams, but Athlon Sports' Doug Farrar thinks L.A. snagged two of the best in Buffalo linebacker Shaun Dolac and North Carolina offensive lineman Willie Lampkin. Dolac led the Mid-American Conference in solo tackles (82), assisted tackles (86), tackles for a loss (19) and interceptions (five). His 177 interception return yards even led the FBS. Two years ago in 2022, Dulac's 97 solo tackles led the country and his three forced fumbles led the MAC. His 6-foot-1 and 221-pound frame is a bit smaller for an inside linebacker, but Dolac certainly has the production and experience to stand out. Lampkin is another undersized player at 5-foot-11 and 279 pounds. He played right guard in 2024 but also saw snaps at center and left guard. Lampkin began his career at Coastal Carolina for three seasons before he plated the past two at UNC, where he won the Jacobs Blocking Trophy as the top offensive lineman in the ACC. Both should have a good opportunity to prove their worth this summer. And given the Rams' affinity for UDFAs, there's chance they could find a role on the team.
USA Today
25-04-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
5 things to know about Saints first round draft pick Kelvin Banks Jr.
5 things to know about Saints first round draft pick Kelvin Banks Jr. There was some thought the New Orleans Saints could have moved down in the 2025 NFL draft, but they didn't budge. The Saints stood pat, surveyed the field, and picked one of the best players in the entire draft class. But why are we so high on Kelvin Banks Jr.? The former Texas Longhorns left tackle is a highly-regarded prospect whose presence will allow the Saints to field their five best offensive linemen, wherever they might be deployed to play their best. And he has some stories to tell. Here's what you need to know about Kelvin Banks Jr.: 1. He's an award winner Banks racked up the accolades at Texas. He was an All-American in each of his three years at Austin and won both the Lombardi Award and the Outland Trophy (presented to the best offensive or defensive lineman in college football), as well as the Jacobs Blocking Trophy (awarded to the SEC's best blocker) in 2024. That says a lot about not just his skills, but his work ethic and the recognition he's earned as a leader for the Longhorns. 2. He's a two-time captain, too Speaking of leadership? Banks was twice selected as a team captain at Texas, first as a sophomore in 2023 and again as a junior in 2024. He's someone coaches have often pointed to as a high-character pillar of the locker room. Longhorns head coach Steve Sarkisian has been effusive in praise for his former left tackle. He's been quoted repeatedly this spring as having told younger players "if you want to be great, be like Kelvin Banks." 3. But he hasn't been blocking for as long as you'd think Banks grew up playing a lot of different sports, but while he was in youth football since he was just 4 years old, he mainly played quarterback and halfback. He remained at the skills positions until his freshman year of high school. A year later he was starting on varsity in 2019. Then he rocketed up the recruiting boards. He's been playing left tackle ever since, but his clean and consistent pass protection technique would have you thinking he's spent more than seven years in his stance. 4. Banks learned a whole lot in a little bit of time How's this for a combination of age and experience? Banks just turned 21 on March 10, making him one of the youngest players in the NFL this season. But he started all 42 games he played at Texas, totaling almost 2,800 snaps in his college career. Even if he's young, Banks is hardly raw. He was a key piece of several College Football Playoff teams and will bring that valuable experience to New Orleans, whether he stays at left tackle or slides inside to left guard. 5. And he's been playing for his family Few guys have the kind of motivation that's powered Banks to success. Last September he opened up about his personal life in an outstanding feature with Yahoo Sports' Ross Dellenger, where Banks shared details about his mother Monica's life-threatening medical issues. With his father "Big Kelvin" supporting the family as a commercial big rig driver and Banks away at college, he poured himself into his craft. Now he's reached the sport's highest level of competition, and he knows his family is cheering him on.
