Prospect Spotlight: Adam Lail – Henry Sibley (2022)
On paper, a two-win season might not look overly impressive. For the top programs in the state, two wins is a bad month – much less a bad season. When you play in a program that has fallen on hard…
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Continue ReadingOn paper, a two-win season might not look overly impressive. For the top programs in the state, two wins is a bad month – much less a bad season. When you play in a program that has fallen on hard times, a 2-5 season – including a place in a section championship game – is much different. In the words of Henry Sibley’s soon-to-be senior
Adam Lail
Adam
Lail
6'6" | 240 lbs | TE
Henry Sibley | 2022
State
MN
– it was a fun season.
“It was a fun season,” Lail said. “We had not won a game in the two seasons before this year. We got a couple of wins on the board – that was a whole lot of fun. We beat Simley – which is a rivalry game because we are so close.”
Although they struggled, the Warriors could usually fall back on a solid defense.
“The last couple of years, our defense been the strongest part of our team,” Lail said. “We get after it in the running game and keep teams in third and long. On offense, we were moving the ball when we were passing the ball.”
A varsity starter since his sophomore season, Lail made a mid-season position change as a junior.
“As a sophomore, I played tight end. Going into last year, I started as a tight end, but after three games, I only had one target, so I wasn’t a factor in the passing game, but I was excelling with my blocking – which has always been my strong suit. It was a no-brainer to move me to tackle. It was a seamless transition; tackle was the right fit for the team and me. At the end of the year, I would bump out to tight end in short-yardage situations.”
Lail was a classic tweener.
“As a tackle, I am not as strong or as big as some of the other guys, and as a tight end, I am physical, but I am not as fast as other tight ends.”
He had the skills to play both positions, but Lail still had to learn some new tricks.
“A lot of the run stuff was the same. The one thing was I had not done a lot of pass set stuff. It went well; I was able to hold up in the passing game. We would switch our line a lot. We would have a fast side and a strong side, so I played both sides.”
A rotational guy at defensive end – Lail is primarily a run stuffer who holds down his gap. His responsibilities on the offensive side of the ball are more extensive.
“One of my strengths is that I know the playbook for all the positions on offense,” Lail told prepredzonemn.com. “Switching sides and switching positions was pretty seamless. It wasn’t too difficult.”
“My pass pro is pretty strong,” the two-way play said. “I am fairly long, so I can keep defenders back. I am good at outside zone and reach blocks – like what I would do as a tight end.”
Being that tackle is still a new position, Lail’s offseason work seems obvious.
“I have been working on footwork and agility – working my technique. I also have been working on hip flexibility.”
Lail gets his training in when he can.
“This year, I spent most of the season as a starter on the basketball team,” the three-sport athlete said. “I don’t make a lot of flashy plays, but I am solid around the rim. In lacrosse, I have been a starter since 8th grade. I was All-Conference this year.”
In the summer, he juggles workouts with all three of his teams and a basic all sport weight room workout. He is just as busy outside of athletics.
“I try to do as much as I can outside of sports,” Lail said. “I am only going to get so many opportunities to try things for free, so I take every opportunity I can to get involved. I have been in the top-performing band programs in the school since I was an underclassman as a percussionist. I tried out for and made All-State for band. I will be able to perform at Orchestra Hall with the All-State band. I help incoming freshmen, and I will be the student representative on the school board. I helped with associate principal interviews.”
In between all of it, Lail has fit in some college visits.
“My family is new to recruiting. I have had interest from basically all the MIAC schools. I have had a couple of Division II visits and have had contact with North Dakota State and South Dakota State. I would say Macalester, St. Olaf, and Sioux Falls have been the most interested in me.”
Recruited mainly as an offensive tackle – Lail has also had some looks at tight end. He is expecting to play tackle full-time as a senior.
“Colleges like my versatility and my size. I am 6’6″ and 240 pounds.”
College programs are going to like his versatility on and off the field.