Interview: 2019 Arkansas ATH Terry Lambert Previews Season with New High School

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG

One of the truisms of football, being an athlete on the gridiron translates wherever one may go and at every level. During the 2016 season, Terry Lambert applied his talents on the field for Hampton High School working his way into one of the top recruits in the state of Arkansas in the 2019 class. When the Friday night lights click on in 2017, Lambert will be showcasing his skillset for a new team.

Hard to argue the impact Lambert had for Hampton during his sophomore season. The Bert Cooper All-American, Diamond All-American, and NUC National All-Star did not let fans down playing on both sides of the ball with a greater impact playing running back and on special teams. The end product was a run through Arkansas’ 2A playoffs to the state title game with both Hampton and Mount Ida giving fans their monies worth in a 27-26 contest won by the Lions.

About an hour and fifteen minutes to the southwest from Hampton, Magnolia navigated through 5A competition in 2016 posting a 5-6 record. The Panthers were a run-heavy team a year ago churning up over 3,000 yards rushing with rising Class of 2019 talent Kadyn Roach leading the way with 1,412 yards on the ground and 12 scores posted. The dynamic duo of Roach and Lambert gives the Panthers a one-two punch in the Flex-Bone offense that will be difficult for any defense to stop in 2017.

The change in programs will not diminish the bright recruiting light Lambert has created for himself. The list of Division-I teams showing interest in Lambert includes Arkansas, Alabama, Memphis, Florida State, Washington, Oregon, Arkansas State, Wisconsin, North Carolina, Michigan State, Tennessee, and Ohio State among others. NAIA offers have already come in from Southern Oregon, Mid-American Nazarene, Lindsey Wilson, and Avila for the 5-10, 183 pound, prospect. The step up in competition should quiet any residual questions about Lambert’s skillset transferring against tougher talent on a bigger stage.

In a Recruiting News Guru exclusive interview, I sat down with Lambert discussing his change of schools, change of positions, off-season workouts, and recruiting process.

Interview

Terry, how did your off-season workouts go?

“My workouts went great. I gained about 20 pounds. I’ve gotten bigger, stronger, and faster as well. I’m ready for the season. I’ve had a great off-season with the team. Right now, we are in fall camp getting ready for the first game of the season.”

Did you accomplish all your second season goals?

“Yes, sir. Oh yes. All of them.”

What areas of your game did you focus on over the spring and the summer?

“This summer I was mainly focused on my agility, getting quicker, and getting faster. I worked on new moves I can use. I worked on my legs a lot to be more explosive and faster with my runs.”

Did you attend any college camps this summer?

“Yes, sir. I attended the Arkansas Elite Prospect camp, a Henderson State camp, a Memphis camp, and the Arkansas Fab 40 Combine.”

Of all the camps, which was your best camp performance?

“The Arkansas and Henderson camps. I enjoyed them both. The atmosphere was great at both camps.”

What did you do well at Arkansas’ camp?

“I completed about 97 percent of my passes. I only had two or three incomplete passes. I also ran a 4.45 in 40.”

Your 40 time will grab a lot of attention. Did you attend all the camps at quarterback or running back?

“As a quarterback.”

Had you stayed with Hampton, you were going to play some quarterback this season. With the move, what is your main focus on the field going forward?

“Running back.”

Last time we spoke you had a ton of recruiting interest. If you will, update me on the schools showing interest but have not offered yet?

“The main schools showing interest are Alabama, Ohio State, North Carolina, Florida State, Arkansas, Arkansas State, UCA (Central Arkansas), Memphis, SMU, Wisconsin, and Georgia. That is all I can think of right now. I am receiving a lot of interest.”

Did you take any unofficial visits during the off-season?

“I took visits to Memphis, Arkansas, and UCA. I have a visit set in September to Alabama.”

How did the Arkansas visit go?

“It went great. I was there more for the camp but I looked around. It was awesome. I look forward to going back this fall. I’m going up for a game this fall.”

You mentioned visits to Alabama and Arkansas this fall, are you planning to go anywhere else on an unofficial?

“As of right now, no. I’m trying to go to Alabama for the Ole Miss game. I’m not sure when I will go up to Arkansas for a game.”

This summer you transferred schools from Hampton to Magnolia, how has the transfer gone so far?

“Great. It is awesome. The coaching staff loves me at Magnolia. The team depends on me. The principal loves me too. Everything is going great. The team has accepted me into the family. I’m ready to get it rolling as a Panther.”

When did you transfer to Magnolia?

“On July 6.”

Which positions will you play this year with Magnolia? Obviously, you will line up at running back, but will you play anywhere else?

“Running back and safety.”

How will the coaches use you within their offensive scheme?

“On offense, they will use me on runs to the outside and through the middle. They will use me as a blocking back too. To run the ball you have to block first. I will also be a receiving target this year.”

Same question but on defense?

“I’m playing free safety and some in the nickel.”

Are you playing any special teams?

“Yes, sir. On kick and punt return.”

What goals have you set for this season?

“My goal is to get at least 2,000 yards rushing and over 800 receiving yards. At safety, I want eight picks and 35 tackles. The biggest thing is for the team to make it to the state championship.”

How does the team look in fall camp so far?

“We are a young team but developing quickly. We have an awesome 2020 class with a lot of athletes and a lot of athletes in the 2019 class. We are a good team. I think we have the chance to be really good this year. We have a bunch of speed on the team with a high football IQ. We expect to be a really good team this year. We expect to be one of the best teams in the state this year.”

What are some of the top games on the schedule this year for Magnolia?

“The No. 1 game is El Dorado (Sept. 15). If we beat them, that will be a shocker for the entire state. That will set the tone for the school and for the town. We have not beaten them in about 10 years. They are 6A and we are 5A. If we beat them that will set the tone for the season.”

Terry, thanks for your time today and good luck with the upcoming season.

“Thank you.”

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Photo credit: Lambert family; Terry Lambert (left) in Dallas (July 2017)

Photo credit: Lambert family; Terry Lambert at a football camp (2017)