Willie Lampkin wins ACC's Most Outstanding Blocker Trophy for the 2024 season

The UNC football program had a bit of good news to brighten up the post-NC State doldrums. Offensive guard Willie Lampkin won the Jacobs Blocking Trophy as the best blocker in the ACC. The winner of this trophy is voted for by ACC head coaches and defensive coordinators. They are most familiar with Lampkin, as they had to deal with the headaches he provided on a weekly basis.

Lampkin cuts a strange figure when he steps onto the field with the rest of the starting line-up. At 5-foot-11, he's the shortest member of the starting O-line, and creates a valley between tackles Howard Sampson (6-foot-8) and Trevyon Green (6-foot-7). There's nothing small about Lampkin's punch, though. He's the highest-graded offensive guard per Pro Football Focus in all Power 4 conferences. He has been instrumental in the historic season that star running back Omarion Hampton had in 2024 (1,660 rushing yards, second best in the country).

In his two seasons in Chapel Hill (he spent his first three seasons at Coastal Carolina), Lampkin hasn't missed a start. His dependability and tenacity will be desperately missed next season.