Overview
Position: Inside linebacker
Height: 6’4″
Weight: 250 pounds
School: Clemson Tigers
Tre Lamar 2019 NFL Draft Profile
Much of the talk surrounding 2019 NFL Draft prospects out of Clemson surrounds an elite group of defensive linemen that includes Clelin Ferrell, Dexter Lawrence, and Christian Wilkins. But they’re not the only NFL-caliber players on defense that helped lead the Tigers to a national title this past season. Tre Lamar did his part in the linebacking corps and it’s a big reason he decided to declare for the draft a year early.
A consensus top-five linebacker prospect out of high school, Lamar received a whopping 32 scholarship offers from Power Five programs. It included one from the Alabama side he would eventually beat in two national title games during his college career. After committing to Clemson in the summer of 2015, Lamar enrolled early which enhanced his ability to make an immediate impact.
He did so both on defense and special teams as a true freshman, appearing in all 15 games in a year which culminated in the Tigers’ first national title under Dabo Swinney. The following season, he broke into the starting lineup and showcased his potential in forcing negative plays with four sacks and five tackles for loss. The good times continued to roll in 2018. Lamar was named a finalist for the Butkus Award given to the nation’s top linebacker. And his college career culminated with him accomplishing something that very few players have achieved: winning two national titles.
Strengths
- chiseled, well-built frame ideal for the physicality of the position at the next level;
- able to burst to full speed rather quickly when rushing the passer;
- takes good pursuit angles in the open field;
- a fairly reliable wrap-up tackler;
- willing to drop into coverage;
- a natural knee-bender who can out-leverage opponent;
Weaknesses
- read and react instincts must become more seamless;
- needs to become more of a sideline to sideline presence;
- can get overwhelmed by down blocking linemen;
- didn’t demonstrate playmaking ability in coverage;
- play speed is a bit inconsistent when moving in space;
- experience is a concern – just two seasons of consistent starter-level reps.
NFL Comparison: Benardrick McKinney
Teams With Need at Position: Baltimore Ravens, Chicago Bears, Cincinnati Bengals, Detroit Lions, Kansas City Chiefs, Los Angeles Chargers, Los Angeles Rams, New England Patriots, New York Giants, Oakland Raiders, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Washington Redskins
Projection: Late second round
Bottom Line
Lamar is an imposing presence who boasts the frame required to withstand the physicality associated with the MIKE linebacker position. He’s a relentless pursuer of the ball in both run and pass situations and consistently brings down players with ease. And there’s no doubting that he’s a proven winner with two national titles on his resume. While he’s capable of dropping into coverage and tallied an interception in 2018, he needs to exhibit better route recognition if he wants to be effective at the next level. He also needs to prove that he can dish out more punishment to linemen who engage him in the second level. But in the right system with a coaching staff that can foster his development, Lamar has what it takes to become a consistent contributor at the next level.
