Once overlooked, Lamm showing up in line picture
Growing up in North Carolina, Kendall Lamm emerged as an accomplished offensive tackle and basketball player.
Although the future Texans offensive tackle was an all-state blocker while anchoring the line for a state championship team that ranked second in the nation with 48.4 points per game, Lamm was largely overlooked by recruiters during his senior year,
He weighed only 240 pounds at the time, and a few schools were evaluating him as a potential tight end.
Ultimately, Lamm chose Appalachian State, where he became an allconference selection at left tackle and gained 50 pounds through haunting the weight room and the school cafeteria.
Being underestimated has provided everlasting motivation for Lamm, who made the Texans’ 53man roster for the second consecutive year.
“It’s always in the back of my head,” he said. “Of course, I don’t say it too much, but that’s something that has driven me since I’ve been younger. Coming out of high school, not getting recruited heavily, going to App State, doing well there and then coming here, it’s just part of my journey. It’s always something that’s always right here. You never have to say it, but it stays in my mind.”
Once an undersized lineman, Lamm is now up to 6-6 and 310 pounds. He has maintained his athleticism while becoming stronger, particularly in his upper body.
It wasn’t easy for Lamm to bulk up, though.
“It took awhile,” he said. “I’m still kind of slim. I eat as much as I can, but it was a process. I always knew from my standpoint that I didn’t want to put the bad weight on and just jump to 290 and not be a fit 290. So now that I’m 305, 310 and it’s the right way, I feel good.”
Better pass protector
The Texans are upbeat about Lamm’s progression.
He played in 15 games as an undrafted rookie last season and started four times. He primarily operated as a blocking tight end and caught one pass for 7 yards.
Lamm figures into the Texans’ plans again at offensive tackle. He started the entire preseason when veteran right tackle Derek Newton was sidelined with a strained hamstring.
“We have confidence in him,” Texans coach Bill O’Brien said of Lamm. “He’s a tough guy. He works very hard. He’s smart. He really has become a better pass protector. He always was a decent run blocker. He would come off the ball and strike you.
“You’re having to pass protect against guys that are really, really top-shelf athletes, but I think he’s improved in that area. He’s a guy that is a swing tackle for us. You may even see him on the inside sometimes at guard. He does a lot of different things for us, and we’ve been happy with him.”
Lamm started at left tackle in the preseason finale against the Dallas Cowboys. Although Newton has returned to practice and is set to play in the season opener Sunday against the Chicago Bears, the Texans still need Lamm to provide a contingency plan in case Newton’s conditioning or health isn’t where the team needs it to be.
There are scenarios where Newton and Lamm divide the workload against the Bears.
“Another guy who’s been working his butt off, trying to get better every day,” Texans offensive line coach Mike Devlin said. “It’s a learning experience for him. Hopefully, that can take him to the next level.”
Fueled by snubs
Lamm allowed just two sacks in 817 snaps during his senior year at Appalachian State as he started every game at left tackle. He was credited with 46 knockdown blocks.
Now, Lamm is progressing to the point he’s regarded with confidence in case he needs to step in with the first-team offense.
“Now, in the second year coming in and having to step in, fill the role wherever they need me to be is giant,” he said. “The familiarity of the offense is big, and I feel pretty good.”
And Lamm will never forget all of those bigger schools that passed on him coming out of high school. Those snubs continue to fuel him.
“I appreciate it because it’s shaped my mind on how I view things and how I work,” Lamm said. “I wouldn’t change it at all.”