2024 Team Preview: Lambert Longhorns

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Every year, Lambert seems to send several prospects to the college ranks. This year, there should be no exception. Not to mention they have some younger guys that are impressive as well. After watching the 2023 film and getting eyes on their spring practice, here is what I saw from a scouting perspective. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong><em>X-Factor Players</em></strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["338715"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='338715' first='Cameron' last='Bland'] is the top playmaker for Lambert. Last season, he eclipsed 1000 total yards with 566 of those on the ground. He also turned around and played some defense. He is a versatile player and can roam around the field offensively. He is listed at 5'11 180 with a low center of gravity, which projects him as an RB. Bland plays with an extra gear. Once he explodes through the front and gets into the open field, he possesses the speed to outrun angles and steadily build away from defenders. When he has to shake defenders, he makes quick, powerful cuts which allows him to jump across faces. He is more of a scat-back, but he does run with good balance and can recover well from contact. His ability to run explosive routes at WR and catch the football downfield only makes him more intriguing. He holds several FBS offers and could find the field early thanks to his versatility.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["283838"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='283838' first='Dylan' last='Biehl'] started to break onto the recruiting scene last fall and now has several P4 offers under his belt. Biehl is an impressive athlete with intriguing measurables. He is listed at 6'5 270 with 33.5 inch arms. He carries his weight very well, showing no limitations as a mover and can easily add at least another 30 pounds to his frame without sacrificing mobility. With his thin ankles, length, and general athletic profile, there is a lot to like about his upside. On tape, he is quick to get downhill on down blocks and can quickly leak out to the second level. He is light enough on his feet to mirror LBs and some DBs, instinctual enough to quickly snap from one assignment to another, and has the straight-line speed to pull efficiently. His pass set is raw, but he has the motor and explosiveness to recover and run pass rushers past the QB. Even while still refining his movements, he can get into his pass set quickly and has the length to hold the edge once he catches defenders. There is a lot to like about Biehl's upside and he is firmly on the P4 radar as a result.rnrnu0026nbsp;","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["670189"],"_player_evaluations_2_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"Brooks might be the biggest stock riser this offseason for Lambert. In the last several weeks, he has burst onto the recruiting scene, tallying a few D1 offers to his name. He is listed at 6'1 200 and has a fairly lanky frame for a LB, meaning he has room to continue growing. He plays with his motor running hot, always playing in hot pursuit of the football and gradually winning against blocks with his sheer effort alone. He plays with good instincts and can quickly shift his momentum downhill to close space. Brooks is one of the leaders of the Lambert defense and could add even more offers to his name before the season starts.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":3,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66313381eb755"} /--> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong><em>Noteworthy Skill Players</em></strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"EJ Hartwell","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'11u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2410","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Lambert","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Hartwell is another D1 caliber playmaker for Lambert who could breakout in a huge way as a senior. He is listed at 5'11 180, but after getting eyes on him, he looks and plays even bigger. He is proportional and well defined. Hartwell is extremely explosive off the line, quickly getting up to his top speed which ultimately sets up the rest of his game. He sells the vertical route nicely, which opens up plenty of underneath routes that he can snap off. In the downfield passing game, he made several catches in a crowd, plucking the ball away from defenders and tracking the ball through contact. He is also dangerous with the ball in his hands, opening up the screen game. Hartwell is a three-level playmaker with some serious burst. He holds a D1 offer from Bucknell.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_1_player_details_player_name":"Carter Chung","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_1_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_1_player_details_height":"5'11u0022","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_1_player_details_weight":"","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_1_player_details_position":"2410","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_1_player_details_school":"Lambert","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_1_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_1_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_1_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"Chung is another dynamic WR for Lambert, and comes in at a similar size profile as Hartwell, listed at 5'11 175. For a smaller receiver, he is able to climb the ladder nicely and high point the ball away from defenders. He flashes good, firm hands, which he uses to come away with tightly contested throws. He is more of a glider in his routes and relies on his patience and spatial awareness to create deception and separation. He is smooth in the hips, which allows him to quickly change directions and make subtle movements to shake defenders. Chung is another senior breakout candidate.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_2_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='1007556' first='Christian' last='Smith']","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_2_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_2_player_details_height":"5'9u0022","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_2_player_details_weight":"","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_2_player_details_position":"2411","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_2_player_details_school":"Lambert","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_2_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_2_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_2_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"Smith plays both ways for Lambert, but he projects long-term as a WR. He is a short, stocky 5'9. While he might not scare you coming off the bus, he can be a tough matchup for DBs. He has fiery footwork that is tough to match off the line, which gets DBs off-balanced. He has the explosiveness and acceleration to then put his cleats in the ground and shoot by DBs, unlocking new areas of the field. He is a deep threat, showcasing the ability to win at the line and track the ball over his shoulder for big gains. Smith might not get a whole lot of recruiting love, but he is a heck of a football player that can do a lot of positive things for Lambert.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_3_player_details_player_name":"Jaden Carter","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_3_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_3_player_details_height":"5'11u0022","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_3_player_details_weight":"","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_3_player_details_position":"2496","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_3_player_details_school":"Lambert","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_3_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_3_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_3_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"Jaden Carter is a well-rounded LB/N hybrid prospect with a well-rounded set of tools. He is a stockier second-level defender at 5'11. He possesses a muscular frame and is not afraid to drop his shoulder and pop some pads when needed. He definitely has the raw power to knock some blockers onto their heels. He is active around the ball in coverage and has ball production to back it up. He is disciplined with his eyes, carefully bouncing them back and forth between WRs entering his zone and the QB without losing track of his assignment. You can see his instincts on display, quickly getting his hands up to play the ball before it can zip by him. I am a fan of Carter's game and think he can play college ball.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":4,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-663176df7c08c"} /--> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong><em>Noteworthy Trench Players</em></strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Jackson DeLoach","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'3u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2405","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Lambert","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"DeLoach is another body-type that stands out on the Lambert front. He might not possesses the traits that Biehl does, but he measures in at 6'3 270+ and still has a lot of physical development left in the tank. He is a good athlete that could eventually play at a tackle spot, but he plays a lot of guard on tape. He is quick off the line, which allows him to quickly get to the chest of blockers on down blocks to drive them out of the play. He is still improving his play strength, but he can drive defenders to the turf and plays hard. He has the speed to match rush moves at the line, and he will only improve at doing so as he adds more twitchy movements. He may be viewed as a project by some college coaches, but he has high upside and can add some solid size and speed to an OL room.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_1_player_details_player_name":"Hamilton Black","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_1_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_1_player_details_height":"6'3u0022","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_1_player_details_weight":"","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_1_player_details_position":"2405","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_1_player_details_school":"Lambert","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_1_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_1_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_1_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"In my opinion, Hamilton Black might be the most underrated member of this football team. He is listed at 6'3 250, but he has broad shoulders and is a people-mover up front. He plays with a mean streak, which he uses to overwhelm defenders and drive them out of plays. At RT, his pass set is better than you would think just by looking at him. He has heavy hands and times his punches efficiently, which can stun rushers and prevent them from getting to a secondary move. His upside might not be the highest on the offensive front, but with another 20-30 pounds of muscle, his game could elevate to a point where small schools should get in on his recruitment.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_2_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='1570112' first='Jett' last='Conley']","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_2_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_2_player_details_height":"6'3u0022","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_2_player_details_weight":"","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_2_player_details_position":"2406","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_2_player_details_school":"Lambert","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_2_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_2_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_2_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='1570112' first='Jett' last='Conley'] is the tone-setter up front for Lambert. He had a productive year in 2023 as a junior, and is looking to build off that success as a senior. He listed at a thin 6'3 215. He will need to add more play strength before college, but he has plenty of room to do so. He is quick off the line, fluid in the hips, and can dip his shoulder. When you combine those things together, you have a big guy that can bend around blocks and slip into the backfield with ease. He is a good tackler in space, showcasing the ability to get his arms around ball carriers, even when his feet leave the ground. I like the upside here and believe there are college teams that should take a look at his tape.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":3,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-663176df7c368"} /--> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong><em>QB Battle</em></strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>If I had to guess, I would assume that '25 QB Marshall Coleman and '26 QB [player_tooltip player_id='1609453' first='Ethan' last='Daughtery'] both get some varsity action this fall, same as they did last year. Coleman is a big lefty with a long, winding delivery. At spring practice, he flashed pretty solid arm strength and made a few outstanding touch throws. Daughtery was thrown into the fire last year and was efficient late in the year for Lambert. He too has a big arm and can spin the ball into tight windows. Both have some upside and will help Lambert win this fall. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong><em>Others To Know</em></strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>'25 K [player_tooltip player_id='1263836' first='Baker' last='Kimbrel']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>'25 ATH Anderson Schultz</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>'26 DB Luke Lemoine</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>'26 WR Matt Franatovich</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>'26 WR/TE Carson Mayer</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->