Acadiana Louisiana 2017 DL/LB Lamar Christmas is too Productive to Not Play Out of Position

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @HogManInLA

All across the nation, on just about every high school football team that fields an 11-man roster there is at least one Lamar Christmas. The Lamar Christmas types of the world are certainly not by name but by actions, character, and motivation.

There is a word in sports that can be good or bad depending on where one stands and that word is “tweener.” This Christmas is exactly that, at least during his junior season, playing in the trenches along the defensive line for Acadiana High School in Lafayette, Louisiana. Christmas is listed at 6’2”, 240 pounds, and tore it up as an undersized yet powerful and quick defensive tackle holding his own against the big uglies on the other side of the ball consistently putting pressure on the quarterback on passing downs and proving to be a regular at stopping the run.

The Rams went 8-3 during the 2015 season before falling to in-state power Parkway. During the season, Christmas estimates his total tackles to be in the neighborhood of 85 with 19 tackles for a loss, nine sacks, two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery, and one pass batted down. For his efforts he was rewarded as a first team All-District and second team All-State performer.

In a Recruiting News Guru exclusive interview, I sat down with the under-the-radar recruit covering his junior season, offseason workouts, and received a one-day college camp schedule.

Interview

Lamar, you had a great season for the Rams last year lining up on the inside and on the outside. What are your strengths overall as a defensive lineman?

“I’m faster than the offensive linemen I face. I have great hands, I’m quick, and I think my technique is good. I think I’m strong for my size going against offensive linemen.”

Will you continue to play in the trenches during the 2016 season or play more on the outside? Will we see you on offense?

“They are putting me – initially I was put at defensive end last season. I will have to play some defensive tackle and defensive end next year and maybe some linebacker. If I play anywhere on offense I might play some tight end.”

What was your best game last season, against who, and why do you consider that your best game?

“My best game I would say came against Lafayette High School (won 26-7). I really had a good game. I think I had three sacks and a lot of tackles that game. My all-around game was good. It was a great game.”

What are you working on in the offseason?

“I’m working on my 40 (yard dash) and my agility. If and when I get offered, most of the schools will not have me playing defensive line. Chances are I will play linebacker so I am working on that more and trying to improve my speed.”

Have you maxed out on bench, squat, or power clean lately?

“My bench is 275, my squat is 390, and my clean was 265.”

Have you posted a 40-yard dash time?

“At our school we have laser timers. When I ran last the 40 last year I ran a 4.9.”

Are you going to any exposure camps this offseason?

“I plan on go to a couple. I was supposed to go to the Nike Opening regional in New Orleans but could not make it. I’m going to a Rivals camp coming up.”

Are you going to any college camps?

“A lot of the camps I have been invited to are far away. I’ll probably going ULL’s (Louisiana-Lafayette) Junior Day. I will try to go to ULM (Louisiana-Monroe) and LA-Tech (Louisiana Tech). I want to go to as many as I can. Whichever camp I can go to and is best for me and easiest to get to I’ll go to.”

How is everything going in the classroom?

“Everything is going fine in the classroom – C’s and B’s.”

Are you playing any spring sports for Acadiana?

“Track.”

Which events?

“The shotput and discus.”

What is your PR (personal record) in the shot and discus?

“My best in the shot is 45 and my best in the discus is 125 to 130.”

Are there any NFL players that you enjoy watching play the game and try to pick up little tips on how to play the game?

“Yeah, there are a couple. Ndamukong Suh (Miami Dolphins) and Ray Lewis (Baltimore Ravens), when he was playing, are the two main ones.”

Last question Lamar. What is your favorite part of playing football?

“My favorite part about playing football – most people think it is a reckless sport but you have to have technique and work to master the game. You have to work to be the best you can be. It’s not as barbaric as most people think. I like learning the technique part of the game.”

Lamar, thanks for your time today and good luck with the upcoming camps.

“Thank you.”

Photo credit: theadvocate.com; No. 66 Lamar Christmas

Photo credit: nola.com; No. 66 Lamar Christmas