Latest news with #Lampkin
USA Today
08-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Rams UDFA Willie Lampkin wasn't concerned with his size ahead of the 2025 NFL Draft
Rams UDFA Willie Lampkin wasn't concerned with his size ahead of the 2025 NFL Draft The Los Angeles Rams signed one of the most intriguing undrafted free agents in North Carolina offensive guard Willie Lampkin Jr. this offseason. While the experienced lineman had great tape during his college career, Lampkin was one of the smallest players at his position at 5-foot-10 and 270 pounds of the at Senior Bowl. But before he had to wait until after every name was called on draft day, Lampkin told The Draft Network's Justin Melo that his size has never mattered in his performance on the field. "The Senior Bowl proved I'm capable of blocking those bigger-bodied defensive linemen," Lampkin said a month before the draft. "I proved I have a strong anchor. I know that's a big question a lot of teams and scouts had about me because of my size, especially with me weighing 270. I know they were scared for me. They thought I was really light. Can he anchor against guys who weigh 340, 350 pounds? I proved I could. I definitely feel like I answered that question for them." Lampkin has highly regarded before and after the draft for his interior blocking skills, and he attributed his success to his experience as a wrestler. "My wrestling background helps a ton," Lampkin said. "I play with great hand placement and terrific leverage. I have great feet and a dog mentality as well. I have a well-rounded skill set." Lampkin is a longshot to make the roster but has a chance if the Rams believe he'd be a good depth piece for the offensive line. There isn't much stable competition ahead of him at guard at the moment, so there could be an opportunity if Lampkin shows up in camps this summer.
USA Today
04-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
NFL analyst thinks this Rams UDFA could make the 53-man roster
NFL analyst thinks this Rams UDFA could make the 53-man roster The Los Angeles Rams have had a lot of success in the undrafted free agent market in recent years between starting tackle Alaric Jackson and impending starting inside linebacker Omar Speights. L.A. signed 17 more UDFAs this offseason, and history has shown that one of them could earn a 53-man roster spot. Bleacher Report's Brent Sobleski writes that North Carolina interior offensive lineman Willie Lampkin has the best chance to be that man for the Rams. "North Carolina's Willie Lampkin is simply too good of a football player not to make the Los Angeles Rams' roster," Sobleski writes. "Lampkin easily produced some of the best tape seen from any prospect this past season. At 5'10" and 280 pounds, he's a severe outlier. Still, his size deficiencies weren't as issue at the Senior Bowl when facing other all-star-caliber NFL prospects. If anything, Lampkin came out of that event looking even more impressive. "Now, the question is whether Lampkin can play anything other than center at the highest level. Honestly, the evaluation process had pegged him as pivot because of his size despite starting 35 collegiate games between the two guard sports. "Watch the undrafted free agent continue to impress and find a way to become the Rams' primary swing interior blocker." This isn't the first time Lampkin earned praise this offseason. Two other analysts think Lampkin is a great fit for the Rams. He had great tape at North Carolina and looked good at the Senior Bowl. The issue, as Sobleski wrote, is Lampkin's size. He's under 6-feet and 300 pounds — both unideal measurements for an interior offensive lineman. While Lampkin isn't expected to earn a starting role anytime soon, he could develop into a nice backup lineman for the Rams in the future ... if he makes the roster.
Yahoo
02-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
NFL analyst says Rams' UDFA was one of the best at his position in the 2025 NFL Draft
Lance Zierlein couldn't believe what he was saying when he watched tape North Carolina running back Omarion Hampton on a recent flight ahead of the 2025 NFL Draft. While watching the soon-to-be first-round pick by the Los Angeles Chargers, Zierlein said he kept seeing standout plays from UNC's right guard, Willie Lampkin. Despite his smaller frame (6-1, 285 pounds), Lampkin was consistently holding his blocks and opening running lanes for Hampton. Advertisement 'He's the best guard tape that I've seen so far... and that's not hyperbole," Zierlein said on Check the Mic with Steve Palazzolo & Sam Monson. "Had he been 6-foot-4, or even 6-3-and-a half probably, 312 pounds, he's probably a first-round pick.' Instead, the Rams signed Lampkin and 16 undrafted free agents after the 2025 NFL Draft. And if Zierlein is to be believed, Lampkin could be another steal for the Rams. Lampkin was a consistent starter all throughout college. He played in 61 collegiate games (38 at Coastal Carolina and 23 at UNC) and, as Zierlein noted, a great run-blocker for Hampton. Advertisement The Rams have had a lot of success with UDFAs in recent years, too. Left tackle Alaric Jackson, who just signed a huge extension, went undrafted. Starting inside linebacker Omar Speights wasn't draft either. Lampkin has some competition to make the team. While he wouldn't supplant Kevin Dotson anytime soon, he'll need to beat out KT Leveston and fellow UDFA Ben Dooley. Zierlein has a lot of faith in him, though. This article originally appeared on Rams Wire: NFL analyst says Rams' 2025 UDFA was one of the best at his position
USA Today
02-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
NFL analyst says Rams' UDFA was one of the best at his position in the 2025 NFL Draft
NFL analyst says Rams' UDFA was one of the best at his position in the 2025 NFL Draft Lance Zierlein couldn't believe what he was saying when he watched tape North Carolina running back Omarion Hampton on a recent flight ahead of the 2025 NFL Draft. While watching the soon-to-be first-round pick by the Los Angeles Chargers, Zierlein said he kept seeing standout plays from UNC's right guard, Willie Lampkin. Despite his smaller frame (6-1, 285 pounds), Lampkin was consistently holding his blocks and opening running lanes for Hampton. 'He's the best guard tape that I've seen so far... and that's not hyperbole," Zierlein said on Check the Mic with Steve Palazzolo & Sam Monson. "Had he been 6-foot-4, or even 6-3-and-a half probably, 312 pounds, he's probably a first-round pick.' Instead, the Rams signed Lampkin and 16 undrafted free agents after the 2025 NFL Draft. And if Zierlein is to be believed, Lampkin could be another steal for the Rams. Lampkin was a consistent starter all throughout college. He played in 61 collegiate games (38 at Coastal Carolina and 23 at UNC) and, as Zierlein noted, a great run-blocker for Hampton. The Rams have had a lot of success with UDFAs in recent years, too. Left tackle Alaric Jackson, who just signed a huge extension, went undrafted. Starting inside linebacker Omar Speights wasn't draft either. Lampkin has some competition to make the team. While he wouldn't supplant Kevin Dotson anytime soon, he'll need to beat out KT Leveston and fellow UDFA Ben Dooley. Zierlein has a lot of faith in him, though.
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.
