| Luke Lambert |
|
|
- 2008 Team Special Teams Co-Player of the Year
- 2007 Team Special Teams Player of the Year
2009 OUTLOOK
Underrated linebacker talent who quietly goes about his business of making plays for the Tiger defense ... Is a solid run stopper who looks to take over at middle linebacker, where he enters the fall listed on top of the depth chart ... Spent a majority of the 2008 season lined up at the strongside position, as veteran Brock Christopher had the middle taken care of ... Started 9 games at the strongside spot, making him one of four returning starters from 2008 for the current Tiger defense ... Closed spring camp by making 3 tackles in the Black & Gold Game.
2008 SEASON
Had a very good season in his first year of extensive defensive action ... Made 9 starts at strongside linebacker and registered a career-high 58 tackles in 14 games ... Also was a key performer on special teams, where he ranked among team leaders with his 12 tackles on kickoff coverage duties ... Was named the team's special teams co-player of the year for his efforts (shared it with PK Jeff Wolfert) ... Had two tackles against Illinois ... Made eight tackles against Southeast Missouri State and added six more against Nevada ... Also had one tackle-for-loss against Nevada ... Made seven tackles against Buffalo ... Had five stops and recovered a fumble against Nebraska ... Made one tackle against Oklahoma State ... Recorded three stops against Texas ... Had a season-best eight tackles against Colorado, including 1.5 TFLs and one sack ... Made six tackles against Baylor and forced a fumble ... Had a pair of tackles against Kansas State and had five stops against Iowa State ... Made one tackle against Kansas and had two stops against Oklahoma in the Big 12 Championship Game ... Had an outstanding spring camp, and he ended the spring practice session by leading all tacklers in the annual Black & Gold Spring Game with 10 total tackles.
2007 SEASON
High-energy true freshman who made such a favorable initial impression in fall camp that he was tabbed to play from early on, and he contributed nicely on special teams primarily, but got more reps in defensive sets late in the year ... Closed the season with a huge performance in the Tigers' Cotton Bowl win over Arkansas, as he got the surprise start at strongside linebacker for Van Alexander, who had an equipment malfunction at the start of the game ... Responded with a career-best 10 tackles against the Razorbacks, and also forced a fumble in MU's 38-7 win ... Was honored with the team's special teams player of the year at the team banquet for his standout efforts ... Made his first career tackle at Ole Miss ... Set a career-high with eight tackles the next week against Western Michigan .. Had three stops against Illinois State ... Made two tackles against Texas Tech ... Had three stops against Kansas State, one tackle against Kansas and two against Oklahoma in the Big 12 Championship game.
HIGH SCHOOL
Rated as the No. 9 player in the state of Missouri (all positions) by Rivals, and as the nation's No. 40 outside linebacker ... Ranked by Super Prep as the No. 11 overall prospect (any position) in the state of Missouri, and as the nation's No. 22-ranked prospect at the position of weakside linebacker ... Starred at linebacker for Brookfield, and was also a standout as a running back and tight end throughout his career ... As a senior in 2006, was named All-State as a linebacker after amassing 165 tackles, recovering two fumbles and grabbing two INTs (returning one for a TD) ... Also won First-Team All-District honors for his play as a running back, as he gained 1,554 yards and scored 21 TDs on the season ... Broke the school record for career tackles, with 383 ... A versatile athlete who also handled kicking duties in his time at Brookfield - was 56-of-70 on extra point attempts ... Was a First-Team All-State honoree on both sides of the ball as a junior, registering 162 tackles, two QB sacks, and two forced fumbles at linebacker, while catching 33 passes for 563 yards and four TDs as a tight end in 2005 ... Also starred in basketball and track at Brookfield, taking fourth place in the 110 hurdles and the 300 hurdles in track ... High school coach - Shane Cavanah.
PERSONAL
Parents - Steve & Diane Lambert ... Is interested in studying nutritional sciences or sports medicine at Mizzou ... Primary Mizzou recruiter - Andy Hill.
LAMBERT Career Statistics
Tackles
G-GS Solo-Ast. Total TFL Sacks FF
2007 14-1 19-13 32 1-10 1-10 1
2008 14-9 30-28 58 3.5-7 1-2 1
Totals 28-10 49-41 90 4.5-17 2-12 2
