Guerby Lambert Is Home: Notre Dame's Physical RT Ready to Take Next Step

Guerby Lambert is home.

The junior offensive lineman will start at right tackle this season after winning the right guard job a year ago and there’s a clear comfort level for Lambert back on the outside.

More importantly, he’ll bring an added level of physicality to the position after developing that part of his game while playing guard.

“I’m a lot more comfortable, especially in pass pro,” Lambert stated. “I was able to learn a lot at guard, especially the physicality of the game. Playing guard helped me a lot.” 

Lambert’s move inside didn’t catch him off guard. In fact, Notre Dame offensive line coach Joe Rudolph has made a habit of moving his best players around, with left tackle Will Black also repping inside last fall.

“I know Coach Rudy and he’s very big on putting the best five guys out there and that’s what you play,” said Lambert. “I wouldn’t say I was surprised. But having never played guard, it took me a couple of weeks to get down. Once I got it down, it was pretty good.” 

In hindsight, Lambert believes learning to play with more physicality was a significant reason why Rudolph wanted him at guard.

Now, Lambert will face lighter bodies on the perimeter, giving the 6-foot-7, 325-pounder a major advantage.

“I feel like at guard, everything happens like now, especially when you have bigger guys,” said Lambert. “They’re more in your face. When you’re facing bigger guys inside, you’re forced to use that. Guys like (Anthonie) Knapp naturally had it at tackle, but the bigger guys you have, the more physical you have to be inside.” 

Lambert wants to be a force on the edge, and while he hasn’t added a ton of weight, he has gotten stronger since the last time he played tackle.

“I’m definitely a lot stronger,” said Lambert. “Weight-wise, I’m not a lot heavier. I’ve just added a lot more muscle mass to my body. I feel like I’m moving a lot better than I was before.” 

Lambert’s next step is developing chemistry with right guard Sullivan Absher. The two have worked together for years, but they want to take their communication and cohesion to another level.

“It’s continuing to grow,” explained Lambert. “Ever since I was a freshman, we’ve been getting reps with each other. It’s nothing new having him next to me right now.

“It’s good that we got the spring together. My spring was cut short a little bit. But it was really good because we had the entire summer to work together and now we’ll have an entire fall camp. I think it’s been really good for us.” 

The other adjustment for Lambert will be his communication with the tight ends.

Notre Dame will lead the nation in pre-snap motion this season, making communication along the offensive line and with the tight ends even more important during fall camp.

“Communication is what we have to get down,” stated Lambert. “We’ve done a great job of working on that, especially since the spring. Even last year when I was playing guard, the tackles and tight ends have worked every single practice, watching film together and seeing how we’re going to condense the communication and be more concise. It’s getting a lot better.” 

When the Irish open the season at Lambeau Field, Lambert should be more than ready for whatever Wisconsin throws at him. He’s being tested every day by Notre Dame’s talented group of edge rushers.

Bryce Young and his high school teammate, Boubacar Traore, have presented quite the challenge during fall camp.

“I like Boubacar,” Lambert stated. “He’s very fast and extremely physical, run and pass. A guy like Bryce, he’s a freak athlete. He’s my height and he’s moving insanely well. It’s a great challenge every day. I feel like we’ve got the best defense in the country, so going up against guys like that every single day will get us better.” 

Lambert will be a key piece to Notre Dame reaching its full potential this season. He’s one of the most talented offensive linemen in the country, but his value extends well beyond what he does between the lines.

Rudolph recently called Lambert the heart and soul of the offensive line room.

“ I took that with a lot of pride,” said Lambert. “ I have a lot of respect for everyone in the room and everyone respects each other. I think we all push each other to better our best. 

“Coach Rudolph always talks about raising the bar. One example he gives us is the four-minute mile. It was deemed impossible. Your body's going to break down, things like that. Once one person did it, everyone else started following.

“That's the culture we kind of have in the offensive line room. I try to find a way to raise the bar every single day and just push the guys around me.”

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