Interview: 4-Star 2023 South Carolina LB Jalen Rambert is That Thumper in the Box
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
There are certain high school players coming up through the ranks that have that “it” factor fitting in perfectly at their position. One of those guys coming up in the 2023 recruiting class is South Carolina linebacker Jalen Rambert.
The 6-2, 245-pound, defender is that wall running backs nor quarterbacks can get past putting a stamp on each play with natural heavy hits. The Powdersville 4-Star recruit earned first team All-Region and Lemming Report All-American honors for the 2020 season after ending 101 plays with 38 tackles for a loss, 12 sacks, 23 quarterback hurries, five forced fumbles, three passes broken up, and a pick in just eight games played.
As word spreads of Rambert’s abilities on the field, so do his recruiting options. Four offers have been extended with the Clemson legacy (Bernard Rambert – RB 1999-02) receiving interest from his father’s old school.
Interview
Jalen, the sophomore season turned in was amazing averaging 12.6 tackles and roughly five tackles for a loss per game. In your view, how did the season go for you personally?
It went pretty good. This season was a lot of me building character. We were in a 4-2 last year. This season we were in a different defense. It was more about me making a move and setting up others to make plays. The changed allowed me to be a better teammate with that switch.
It will only get better, but a couple of things standout to me that you do at an elite level; read your keys quickly and rarely a false step with your footwork. How have you developed those technical parts to your game so quickly being just your second season at linebacker?
Yes, sir. I have good coaches; that is what it is. My freshman year, one of our best players, he had been playing linebacker for a while, he helped show me how to do it. I have great teammates to help me through it making the transition a lot easier.
Looks like the Patriots were running a variation of a 3-4 during the 2020 season. As that inside linebacker, what was your role within the defense?
Read your guard and get downhill. There was a lot of block shedding, the guards were released, zone coverage, we did some man plays, but they were not really throwing to my guy. I was a sideline-to-sideline linebacker playing in space and taking on blocks.
Which areas of your game showed the most improvement?
Probably finding and reading everything. Last year was my first year, I was still feeling the game out from an inside linebacker’s perspective. I was reading faster, being more comfortable, and I felt better out there.
Your strength shows on shedding blocks and hauling down running backs and quarterbacks. Other than the areas most improved, what do you feel are some of the other strengths to your game as a linebacker?
My speed; I am not sure how much you can see on film. If they run away, I can track them down. This season I was thinking about the play before it happens knowing what was coming. Being a sure tackler, that is also an improvement. I had less opportunities this year with the change in defense. In the 4-2, I was getting a free release downhill but this year I was more in space; that really improved from last year.
Your strength shedding blocks shows on film. What are your more recent maxes in the weight room?
I am benching about 300 and squatting at 475 to 480.
Nice. Did you post a 40 time over the offseason?
Yes, I ran a 4.73 laser.
It might be too soon to tell, but do you know what roles you may take on during the 2021 season?
I will definitely be on the offensive side a lot more. A lot of guys are graduating, we will need more help at running back and receiver. I may get some time returning kickoffs and punts. Some of our defensive guys are gone too. I may play some at outside and inside linebacker to switch it up. This offseason I will be more vocal as a leader. I will step up and be there for my guys, helping the young ones coming up to be able to play at a high level.
What are you doing with your offseason workouts?
I am in between on cutting down on weight. Seeing most guys in college at 225, I am on the fence about cutting weight. Right now, I am in wrestling and then I have soccer. I will start going to a trainer, he’s the guy down here. Elite Position Training, I will be going there, wrestling and playing soccer this spring.
Let’s turn to recruiting. Which schools are showing interest?
There are a lot of schools showing interest. One heavy interest is coming from Clemson. I talk to their coaches regularly. There are some sliding interest in others. Coach (Brent) Venables (Clemson DC) is the heaviest. Penn State, Michigan, Southern Cal, North Carolina, Ohio State, Virginia, West Virginia, Arizona State, and Tennessee are showing some interest. Oklahoma, Georgia and Wake Forest are as well.
How many offers have you received?
Four.
Rambert’s Offer Sheet: Arkansas, Middle Tennessee State, UAB, and Virginia Tech
Once visits are allowed again in 2021, are there any schools you might go see?
Clemson is one. I have been around the campus my whole life. I know what goes on there. My dad played there. I have seen the practices and talked to the coaches when I was younger. I’d like to go visit Oklahoma to see what they have out there. On the west coast, I’d like to visit USC, UCLA, and Oregon, if I get the chance. Ohio State, that’s another one. I want to see that environment, along with Penn State and Georgia.
Jalen, I appreciate your time today. Wishing you success in your offseason workouts, wrestling and soccer this winter and spring.
Thank you, sir.
Photo credit: Rambert family; Jalen Rambert