VIDEO: https://wisconsin.rivals.com/news/week-6-in-state-blitz-2020-rb-rashad-lampkin
Strengths:
Got a chance to see 2020 tailback Rashad Lampkin last night in a battle of unbeaten programs: Milwaukee Marquette and Brookfield Central. The game certainly lived up to the hype as the Hilltoppers, who trailed all evening, came out on top after driving the length of the field with under two minutes to play to secure a 28-22 victory. It's going to be really interesting to see what the D1 playoff field looks like with Marquette, Franklin and Muskego - three teams in the same region that will likely be undefeated at the end of the regular season. But back to Lampkin...
The junior, who was listed at 5-foot-10 and 190 pounds, had a rushing, receiving and special teams touchdown Friday. Central has cruised for much of the year, so this was likely Lampkin's first game in which he was needed for all four quarters. Against a really good Hilltoppers' defense, which features Wisconsin target Riley Nowakowski, Lampkin was good from start to finish. I thought his balance and footwork were impressive, and he's got the versatility to run between the tackles or break plays to the outside.
When watching an in-state running back, the measuring stick is Julius Davis, who is committed to the Badgers in the 2019 class. I saw Davis around this time last year and I think there are some similarities. Both are really smooth backs, but I'd say Davis runs more violently and also has better stop and go ability in comparison to Lampkin. That said, Lampkin is used in a variety of ways - slot, wildcat, receiver - and he looked comfortable in a number of formations.
Areas of improvement:
The question I had Friday night was if Lampkin had the elite speed to project to the FBS level. Looking at some track times, in April he ran 11.9 seconds in the 100 meters and 23.97 seconds in the 200. In comparison, Davis ran 11.74 and 24.26 in those same events at the same time. The state title time at the WIAA state track and field event was 10.86 seconds, if you wanted further reference.
I also thought Lampkin could have been, in a few runs, a bit more patient in hitting the hole. He seems to take the same speed/approach on most of his runs, which sometimes caused him to get caught up in traffic. That goes back to the stop and go, or profile change, which I talked about with Davis in Week 2.
Outlook:
Lampkin wasn't on my list of players to see as I was making my schedule this summer. But I had been hearing his name quite a bit this fall - he's currently 10th in the state in rushing yards, according to wissports.net - so I made it a point get out and see him. Lampkin certainly isn't a household name on the recruiting front, but either was Davis at the start of his junior season.
After seeing him play, I think Lampkin has a chance to play at the FBS level. It's a little surprising that he hasn't received more recruiting attention thus far, but I would expect to see things pick up this fall and into the winter. Depending on where Lampkin camps this summer, I would imagine he has multiple scholarship offers at this time next year.
Wisconsin comparison on current roster:
I see a little Chris James in Lampkin because I think he's going to grow into a thicker tailback. As a senior, Lampkin could be playing in the 200-range as a more physical tailback for Central.
Up next:
I plan to get out to Stoughton next week to see 2020 commit Jack Nelson.
Let me know what your thoughts are.
Strengths:
Got a chance to see 2020 tailback Rashad Lampkin last night in a battle of unbeaten programs: Milwaukee Marquette and Brookfield Central. The game certainly lived up to the hype as the Hilltoppers, who trailed all evening, came out on top after driving the length of the field with under two minutes to play to secure a 28-22 victory. It's going to be really interesting to see what the D1 playoff field looks like with Marquette, Franklin and Muskego - three teams in the same region that will likely be undefeated at the end of the regular season. But back to Lampkin...
The junior, who was listed at 5-foot-10 and 190 pounds, had a rushing, receiving and special teams touchdown Friday. Central has cruised for much of the year, so this was likely Lampkin's first game in which he was needed for all four quarters. Against a really good Hilltoppers' defense, which features Wisconsin target Riley Nowakowski, Lampkin was good from start to finish. I thought his balance and footwork were impressive, and he's got the versatility to run between the tackles or break plays to the outside.
When watching an in-state running back, the measuring stick is Julius Davis, who is committed to the Badgers in the 2019 class. I saw Davis around this time last year and I think there are some similarities. Both are really smooth backs, but I'd say Davis runs more violently and also has better stop and go ability in comparison to Lampkin. That said, Lampkin is used in a variety of ways - slot, wildcat, receiver - and he looked comfortable in a number of formations.
Areas of improvement:
The question I had Friday night was if Lampkin had the elite speed to project to the FBS level. Looking at some track times, in April he ran 11.9 seconds in the 100 meters and 23.97 seconds in the 200. In comparison, Davis ran 11.74 and 24.26 in those same events at the same time. The state title time at the WIAA state track and field event was 10.86 seconds, if you wanted further reference.
I also thought Lampkin could have been, in a few runs, a bit more patient in hitting the hole. He seems to take the same speed/approach on most of his runs, which sometimes caused him to get caught up in traffic. That goes back to the stop and go, or profile change, which I talked about with Davis in Week 2.
Outlook:
Lampkin wasn't on my list of players to see as I was making my schedule this summer. But I had been hearing his name quite a bit this fall - he's currently 10th in the state in rushing yards, according to wissports.net - so I made it a point get out and see him. Lampkin certainly isn't a household name on the recruiting front, but either was Davis at the start of his junior season.
After seeing him play, I think Lampkin has a chance to play at the FBS level. It's a little surprising that he hasn't received more recruiting attention thus far, but I would expect to see things pick up this fall and into the winter. Depending on where Lampkin camps this summer, I would imagine he has multiple scholarship offers at this time next year.
Wisconsin comparison on current roster:
I see a little Chris James in Lampkin because I think he's going to grow into a thicker tailback. As a senior, Lampkin could be playing in the 200-range as a more physical tailback for Central.
Up next:
I plan to get out to Stoughton next week to see 2020 commit Jack Nelson.
Let me know what your thoughts are.
