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Forrest Lamp- Offensive Guard, Western Kentucky Hilltoppers
HEIGHT: 6’4”
WEIGHT: 309
ARM LENGTH: 32 1/4”
HANDS: 10 5/8”
PROJECTION: 1ST-2ND ROUND
40 YD DASH (NFL Combine): 5.00 seconds
BENCH PRESS (NFL Combine): 34 reps
VERTICAL (NFL Combine): 27.5”
BROAD JUMP (NFL Combine): 111”
3 CONE DRILL (NFL Combine): 7.55 seconds
20 YD SHUTTLE (NFL Combine): 4.62 seconds
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ANALYSIS
STRENGTHS: The first impression of Forrest Lamp is that he is an elite pass protector, even in an offense that features many quick passes. The Hilltoppers offense utilizes screens and short routes to beat defenses, but eventually throw some deep balls too. Lamp has proven that he can protect the quarterback by using a strong base and good hands. Rarely does Lamp get beat with either the bull or speed rush, and it’s because he does his homework. His study of an opponent also allows him to be aware of who is lining up across the line and their tendencies. Even in Conference USA, which doesn’t produce many NFL-caliber pass rushers, Lamp still prepared for every player he may face. One test that everyone anticipating in 2016 was against Alabama. While the Hilltoppers struggled to move the ball against the Tide’s defense, Lamp held his own all game. He consistently faced Ryan Anderson, Tim Williams, and Jonathan Allen who will also be in this year’s draft. Both Allen and Anderson agreed that Lamp was one of the best tackles they faced all year, which is a high honor coming from two defensive stars.
WEAKNESSES: With Lamp, there aren’t many concerns heading into the draft, but there are things to watch. There are times in blitz pickup where I felt he misread the blitz and allowed a free rush to the quarterback. Defensive coordinators will throw different looks at him, so he will need to be able to pick them up quickly. As for his run blocking, I think he’s solid but can also improve in that area. If he moves inside to guard, he will need to consistently explode through his hips in order to get a push against bigger defenders.
FINAL THOUGHTS: Lamp is definitely a gem in the Group of 5, and has consistently shown he can dominate inferior competition while competing with Power 5 players as well. He and Indiana’s Dan Feeney will go back and forth leading up to the draft, but Lamp has shown he’s just as valuable as his Power 5 counterpart.