From now until the 2025 NFL Draft, we hope to scout and create profiles for as many prospects as possible, examining their strengths, weaknesses, and what they can bring to an NFL franchise. These players could be potential top-10 picks, Day 3 selections, or priority undrafted free agents. Today, a scouting report on North Carolina offensive lineman Willie Lampkin.
NO. 53 WILLIE LAMPKIN, IOL, NORTH CAROLINA (R-SENIOR) – 5100, 279 POUNDS
SENIOR BOWL PARTICIPANT
MEASUREMENTS
Player Ht/Wt Hand Size Arm Length Wingspan
Willie Lampkin 5100/279 10 1/8 31 1/2 N/A
40-Yard Dash 10-Yard Dash Short Shuttle 3-Cone
5.21 N/A 4.70 N/A
Broad Jump Vertical Bench Press
8’8″ 23 1/2 18
THE GOOD
— Strong frame with good low center of gravity
— Plays with good speed and explosiveness at the position
— Fluid mover in space and climbs to the second level easily
— Can perform reach blocks and pull from the center/guard spot
— Does a great job striking his opponent’s chest and latches on
— Runs his feet on contact and can work laterally in pass protection
— Shows tenacity and grit as a finisher on his blocks
— Leverage helps him drive defenders back or topple them over
— More than held his own against top competition at the Senior Bowl
— Has experience playing both center and guard
THE BAD
— Pure outlier when it comes to size and measurables
— Lacks ideal arm length and can have them swiped away
— Will have a tough time recovering if initial punch fails
— Lack of reach will be a problem for pure speed rushers
— Bigger, longer defenders can get hands on him first and control the rep
— Will likely get pegged as a center-only prospect/gadget fullback due to size
BIO
— Redshirt year senior from Bealsville, FL
— Born January 22, 2002 (age 23)
— Transferred from Mulberry to Lakeland after his sophomore year due to his mother losing her job
— Helped lead the Lakeland High School football team to a state championship in 2018
— Won the state championship in wrestling his senior year with an undefeated record
— Two-star recruit according to Rivals
— Committed to Coastal Carolina out of high school
— Started all twelve games at left guard in 2020
— Started 13 games at left guard in 2021
— Started 13 games at center in 2022
— Transferred to North Carolina ahead of the 2023 season
— Started 24 games both at center and right guard during his time with the Tar Heels
— First-team All-American (2024), Jacobs Blocking Trophy (2024), First-team All-ACC (2024), Third-team All-ACC (2023), First-team All-Sun Belt (2022), 2x Second-team All-Sun Belt (2020, 2021)
TAPE BREAKDOWN
Willie Lampkin is a strange phenomenon as a draft prospect. Given his measurables (5100, 279 pounds), no one would expect him to be a dominant offensive lineman. However, Lampkin has proved the doubters wrong since high school, winning national championships in football and wrestling while going on to become an All-Conference player for Coastal Carolina and North Carolina and being recognized as a First-team All-American this past season.
When you pop in the tape on Lampkin, you see his wrestler background pop off the screen. He plays with great leverage at the point of attack and does a great job driving his feet on contact. Watch these clips of Lampkin below getting into his run fits against Minnesota, creating a forward push while taking his man several yards down the field.
Lampkin does a good job using his core strength to torque defenders away from the running lane, creating alleys for the runner to sneak into the second level. Watch these clips below against the Gophers of Lampkin, sealing off his man to create a big running lane for RB Omarion Hampton to run through for first down yardage.
He plays with a fair amount of nasty in his game, getting his hands inside the defender’s shoulder pads while driving his feet on contact to finish blocks. Watch Lampkin win the leverage game in the clips below and finish his opponent to the ground for the pancake block.
Lampkin may not have tested well regarding his numbers at his Pro Day, but he is a fluid mover in space and can climb to the second level with relative ease. Watch this clip below against Minnesota as Lampkin slips into the box and picks up the linebacker, driving him out of the play as the runner reaches the second level.
In pass protection, Lampkin does a good job of having active feet and hands and scanning the field for work. He sits into his pass sets well and absorbs contact from the rusher, like in this clip against Minnesota, where Lampkin picks up the twisting defender, latches onto his chest, and neutralizes his rush.
During his time at the Senior Bowl, Lampkin showed that he belonged against some of the top competition down in Mobile. He had moments where he struggled against pure length and speed, as you can see in a couple of the clips below. Still, he also displayed active hands and a stout anchor, fighting on every rep to neutralize the rush and even put South Carolina DL T.J. Sanders on the ground in the first clip.
CONCLUSION
Willie Lampkin is an easy guy to root for, having overcome plenty of the odds stacked against him to become one of the most decorated blockers in college football last season. He will definitely get into an NFL training camp, either as a draft pick or an undrafted free agent. He will likely have the opportunity to compete for a backup center job that may mix in as a lead fullback in certain packages. His lack of ideal measurables will need to be counteracted by his technique and use of leverage, but he should find his way onto a roster as a backup at worst, with the outside chance to eventually start for a team.
When determining a pro comp for Lampkin, the only names that really come to mind are Jason Kelce and Randall McDaniel. Both were considered undersized yet effective blockers in the league. Although both are taller than Lampkin, they have similar mobility and effectiveness as run blockers.
Projection: Day 3
Depot Draft Grade: 7.0 – 5th Round (Backup/Special Teamer)
Games Watched: at Minnesota (2024), vs Wake Forest (2024), at Florida State (2024), Senior Bowl
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