How Guerby Lambert & Notre Dame’s Offensive Line Are Finding Their Groove

Growing pains. 

It’s inevitable for 99.9 percent of the college football world, especially as it relates to the offensive line. 

The players are bigger, stronger, fundamentally sound and more skilled. 

Notre Dame guard Guerby Lambert will make his fourth career start on Saturday and he’ll face a large challenge this weekend. 

Across from him will be Arkansas defensive tackle Ian Geffard, a massive 6-foot-5, 388-pounder. It’s a rare occasion when Lambert, who checks in at 6-foot-7 and 335 pounds, is smaller than his competition. 

That said, Lambert is starting to find a comfort level on the field and he can use his elite skill set to his advantage.  

“Coach (Joe) Rudolph was telling me as a starter your biggest leap is going to be from Week 1 to Week 2. I think that was true for me so far. I feel like from the first week to the second week I was able to learn the speed of the game; that I can’t carry things on and just move forward.” 

Coaches don’t always have time to be patient with young players, but Rudolph is expediting Lambert’s development by focusing on specific areas and not overloading the redshirt freshman. 

“Every week, we try to improve in a certain area,” explained Lambert. “I feel like I’ve definitely improved on the pass-pro game, especially against Miami. We didn’t perform, or I didn’t perform well, when it came to pass-pro. I think as the weeks are getting better, so far I’ve been doing a better job at that and I’m looking to improve more and more.” 

With three games of experience, Lambert is starting to play with more clarity, which translates to more velocity. That’s a positive for everyone involved, as Lambert’s natural instincts take over with less thinking. 

“With experience, a lot of good things are going to happen,” said Lambert. “I don’t have to worry about what I’m going to do on this play. It kind of just comes second nature. Where your hands are going to be, where your foot is going to be. You like to visualize those things, but it’s just more of an instinct rather than just thinking about it.” 

As a whole, Notre Dame’s offensive line has found its rhythm over the last two games. The Irish have generated a push in the run game and CJ Carr has had the time to attack downfield.

Lambert credits sharper communication and a more intentional approach.

“We’ve definitely become closer,” stated Lambert. “When it comes to the communication standpoint, just getting the communication out quicker and quicker, so we’re not just standing there at the line. I feel like we’ve started to move with more intent as we’ve gone on. We’re not going through the motions when it comes to plays.” 

That progress hasn’t happened by accident. Captains Aamil Wagner and Billy Schrauth have led extra film sessions, which Lambert has embraced. 

“It helps to watch film with the older guys, like Aamil,” Lambert explained. “I remember after the A&M game, I probably watched the film three times by myself. Then I watched it with him one-on-one and was kind of blown away by how much he was able to see and how much I was like, ‘I completely missed that. I didn’t see that.’ Watching with the older guys has definitely been a big help.” 

Wagner has been instrumental in Lambert’s development over the last year, and the time spent together has paid off, as they find themselves playing side by side. 

“He’s been the best,” explained Lambert. “He’s helped me so much. I ask him what he sees pre-snap and he was able to tell me. At first, it was like gibberish, and then now it’s like OK, I’m understanding, it’s slowing down to me. Playing next to him is amazing. He’s a great communicator. Sometimes he tells me what I’m about to do before I do it.” 

Lambert may have settled into right guard, but he’s still cross-training at tackle as he’s likely the next in line if there were an injury to Anthonie Knapp or Wagner. 

“Coach does a great job of getting us ready whenever we need to do,” said Lambert. “He’s always making sure I’m wired in whenever he’s talking to tackles and whenever he’s talking to guards.

“I’m always wired in whenever he is talking to them. I’m always talking to Aamil, asking him what his footwork is on this specific play, just in case anything happens.” 

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