Senior Bowl 2017 Interview – Forrest Lamp

Forrest Lamp – OT (Western Kentucky)

Measurables: 

Hgt:  6’ 3 ¾”   

Wgt:  305 lbs. 

Hand:  10 ⅞”  

Arm:  31 ⅛”    

Wing:  78”

PROFILE:  In both his junior and senior seasons, Lamp was a first-team All-Conference USA selection, starting every game on the blind side. He was a third-team Associated Press All-American as a senior. He was voted a team captain by his teammates the past two seasons as well.

Lamp was a starter from day one of his redshirt freshman season, starting all 12 games for the Hilltoppers. In fact, he put together a 42-game start streak that was snapped part way through his senior season when he missed two games due to injury (the only two starts he missed during his entire four-year career at WKU). Culminated his career by catching a touchdown pass on a trick play during the Boca Raton Bowl game, his final game as a Hilltopper.  Considered by most analysts to be one of the top offensive lineman in the 2017 draft class.

On what it means to him to be a part of this Senior Bowl event.

It means a lot to me and my teammate, Taywan Taylor. You know, we’re really representing WKU. The lovin’ never leaves you! It means a lot to come here and represent our school. I’m here with all the elite college football players in the country. So it means a lot.

On what it is going to mean to him to represent his school one last time in the Senior Bowl game.

It gives you definitely a like a sense of pride. The last time I put the helmet on, which I thought was going to be in our bowl game, so I’m glad I get one more chance to go ahead and do it here with one of my teammates. So, it will be fun.

On the best advice he has received from college coaches or other players about handling the draft process.

Just take it day by day. Don’t read too much into the media. Nobody can predict where you’re going. Just all depends on that one team that falls in love with you. So just be patient.

On what are the two or three things he’d like to showcase to NFL personnel during Senior Bowl week.

Just that I’m versatile. I’ll play wherever anybody wants me to – go ahead and play tackle, guard and center. Wherever they need me to play. If we can do a practice, I’m fine.

On his takeaway about his performance in his game against Alabama this past season.

I took that obviously I played pretty well – that I can play with elite competition. Those guys are really good. My hat goes off to Ryan Anderson, Tim Williams and Jonathan Allen. Thos guys came to play and they’re definitely good.

On what he thinks he can bring to an NFL team on Day One that sets him apart.

Like I said, I think I’m versatile. NFL guys, they only dress seven or eight linemen. If you have somebody who can play all three positions, I think that adds very good value. I’m a natural leader – lead by example. Just always do the right thing at the right place at the right time.

On what part of the transition to the NFL he thinks will be the toughest – technique or style of play or something else.

They said that the toughest thing is adjusting to the speed. You know when you go from high school to college, the biggest difference is the speed of the game. They said that it’s the same thing when you go from college to the NFL.

On whether there are any current players in the NFL that he tries to model his game after.

Yeah, I like Joe Thomas, Zack Martin and Ali Marpet. Those are some of the guys that I like to watch. Especially Marpet, coming from Hobart, it’s a great school.

On what it’s like following his dream and making it this far and what he thinks it will be like on draft day when his name is called.

It’s going to be amazing. You know, it just kinda gives you that sense of accomplishment. It’s been one of those long term goals – it’s been ten – twelve years in the process. So to accomplish that – it’s going to be a really good feeling.