Transfer OL Willie Lampkin Eager to Provide Versatile (Undersized) Option for UNC
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. --- When you peruse Willie Lampkin's profile the first thing that stands out is his height. The Coastal Carolina transfer is a 6-foot-tall offensive lineman who comes to North Carolina at around 275-pounds. And while college interior offensive linemen can dip to 6-foot-3 or 6-foot-2, rarely does one border the 6-foot range.
When the topic of his height was brought up, Lampkin smiled. He's heard it all before.
"My arms are long. My hands are big. I have some quick feet," Lampkin said on Monday in the Kenan Football Center. "Being a 6-foot offensive lineman, you can definitely see the difference because everyone else is towering over you. Being a 6-foot offensive lineman comes with its pros and its cons. People are always saying you aren't good enough, so you always have to prove yourself right and prove them wrong, which is something I have been getting used to and have been doing for a long time and my whole life."
Lampkin proved himself for the Chanticleers and was one of the Sun Belt's best offensive linemen the last three seasons.
At Coastal Carolina, Lampkin played both guard and center. He played left guard for his first two seasons in Myrtle Beach, S.C. and earned freshman All-American honors in 2020 and was second-team All-Sun Belt Conference in 2021.
He moved to center in the spring practice ahead of the 2022 season and earned first-team All-Sun Belt honors and was named the conference’s Offensive Lineman of the year by the College Football Network after setting a career-high with 41 knockdown blocks.
Lampkin comes to Carolina with two seasons of eligibility remaining.
As North Carolina enters spring practice and then the 2023 season, Lampkin's role on the team will be intriguing to follow. He provides a viable and experienced backup option at center for veteran Corey Gaynor, who started all 14 games for the Tar Heels in 2022. Lampkin could also compete for the starting left guard spot. It was announced on Monday that incumbent starting left guard Ed Montilus will be returning for the 2023 season.
Lampkin said he prefers playing guard. It was another answer that brought a smile to his face as he discussed his preference.
"I like playing guard more, honestly, because I can come off the ball as fast as I want to and I don't have to snap the ball. I can get out of my stance and move," Lampkin told reporters. "And that was my first position on the offense line, guard. I feel like guard is a much more freer position."
"I think I'll be competing for both spots," Lampkin added. "I am not really sure. That is up to Coach Clements and myself. Whatever spot helps the team succeed and win, that is the spot that I am going to be at."
It's a safe bet that everyone will get a clean slate entering 2023 under new offensive line coach Randy Clements. "He's a great guy. I like him. He's cool ... he definitely loves football," Lampkin said about Clements.
In terms of his recruitment to UNC, Lampkin said that like all transfer situations it happened really fast. "I feel like Carolina is going to help me take the next step to reach my goals and become a better player," he added.
When head coach Mack Brown introduced the transfers a few weeks ago, he said that Lampkin was eager to commit to North Carolina on the spot. "He walked in my office and said, ‘If you want me, I’m coming,'" Brown recounted.
Lampkin said he would like to put on 15-20 more pounds to match the size difference in the ACC, with a goal of playing at 290 or 295 pounds by the time the season starts.
"He just competes. He shakes your hand like a wrestler. He’s tough as nails, loves to play," Brown said about Lampkin. "When he shakes your hand, he breaks it and he looks you right in the eye. He’s got great feet. He’s really quick. He’s going to make someone in that room work really hard to keep his job.”
"He is really quick-footed," Staples said. "That's one of the things that stood out for me when I watched him is you could watch him snap the ball and then pull. At Coastal, they used him as a puller from the center position. If you can pull your center, that means he's an athlete. A lot of centers just can't pull, they're just not quick enough. He could pull and he pulled with success, and he got to the second level with success.
"So the foot quickness and the ability to move on the interior really helps. And if you can get into good position, then sometimes you can mitigate a little bit of that disadvantage in terms of weight and bulk and strength."
