10 Standout NFL Draft Prospects from Smaller Programs

Jan 24, 2017; Mobile, AL, USA; North squad running back Kareem Hunt of Toledo (33) carries the ball during practice at Ladd-Peebles Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Glenn Andrews-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 24, 2017; Mobile, AL, USA; North squad running back Kareem Hunt of Toledo (33) carries the ball during practice at Ladd-Peebles Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Glenn Andrews-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
8 of 10
Next
Dec 3, 2016; Bowling Green, KY, USA; Western Kentucky Hilltoppers offensive lineman Forrest Lamp (76) celebrates his teams victory following the CUSA championship game against the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs at Houchens Industries-L.T. Smith Stadium. Western Kentucky won 58-44. Mandatory Credit: Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 3, 2016; Bowling Green, KY, USA; Western Kentucky Hilltoppers offensive lineman Forrest Lamp (76) celebrates his teams victory following the CUSA championship game against the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs at Houchens Industries-L.T. Smith Stadium. Western Kentucky won 58-44. Mandatory Credit: Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports /

Offensive linemen usually aren’t the most exciting prospects to watch, but guy who was getting a lot of attention heading into the Super Bowl was Western Kentucky’s Forrest Lamp. Unfortunately, an ankle injury at the first practice in Mobile kept him out for the rest of the week.

Scouts were excited to see Lamp going up against some legitimate future NFL talent, but we only got a brief glimpse at what the Hilltoppers prospect can bring at the next level. Lamp played tackle all four years at Western Kentucky, but scouts think that he could be an even better player at the next level he moves inside at guard.

Lamp has a solid frame at 6-foot-4 and 300 pounds, but the reason scouts think he should move inside is because of his shorter than ideal arm length. That doesn’t mean he’s not a competent offensive tackle. He’s got great footwork and balance to stay in front of pass rushers and has a nasty mentality in the trenches to open up rushing lanes.

It’s unfortunate that we didn’t get to see more of Lamp last week, but he’s still one of the few offensive linemen who has a chance at being selected in the first round. He’ll be competing with guys like Indiana’s Dan Feeney at offensive guard, but expectations are still high for the Hilltoppers prospect.