With the Philadelphia Eagles battling the New England Patriots in preseason action in Week 2, the offense got set at the line of scrimmage on a second-and-goal from the five-yard line.
What transpired was the culmination of a young backup offensive line group that has grown leaps and bounds, with an interior duo that absolutely bulldozed the defenders in front of them.
Eagles running back Will Shipley took the handoff and fired upfield, with the duo of Willie Lampkin and Drew Kendall beating him by a few yards into the end zone, double-teaming a helpless New England defender into the dust as Shipley easily jetted in for six. Watching the play unfold, one could see the sheer domination up front, specifically on the interior, where Kendall (left guard) and Lampkin (center) blasted the hole wide open with authority.
Remarkable rise continues for Eagles' Willie Lampkin & Drew Kendall
For former Eagles center Jason Kelce, watching two fast-rising interior linemen manhandle the competition was a sight to behold.
"This is Drew Kendall and Willie Lampkin, two undersized centers. One is playing guard to show his versatility, and the other is probably the only offensive lineman under 6 feet to play in the NFL in this millennium. They are absolutely smashing a double-team block 8 yards downfield!! Size is important, but nothing beats leverage!"
The tandem of Lampkin and Kendall continues to dazzle, and more and more folks are taking notice. Not only are their chances of earning roster security sky-high as those decisions loom around the corner, but each is now showing they are worthy of significant snaps - even starting roles in this league.
Each arrived earlier this summer with much to prove, and as the days have gone by, both young linemen have continued to dominate, both in practice and in two consecutive preseason games.
Checking in at sub six feet, Lampkin, the former high school wrestling sensation, has stolen the show at camp. Head coach Nick Sirianni has repeatedly beamed about him, while several veteran teammates have marveled at his tenacity and how tiresome it is to match his relentless energy and power. Lampkin's compact stature helps him consistently win the leverage battle in his matchups, giving defenders headaches.
"I call him (Lampkin) a bowling ball of knives," Jordan Davis said, per Brenden Deeg. "He's so short, so small, so stubby, but he's so quick and powerful ... for a taller guy like me, it gives me a lot of trouble. He's a tremendous player, especially at center. He commands that line."
Jordan Davis on Willie Lampkin:
— Brenden Deeg (@BrendenDeeg_) August 20, 2026
"I call him a bowling ball of knives. He's so short, so small, so stubby, but he's so quick and powerful ... For a taller guy like me, it gives me a lot of trouble.
"He's a tremendous player ... especially at center, he commands that line." pic.twitter.com/SPLb67YqhO
Along with the 'bowling ball of knives', his second-year sidekick Kendall has also stood out in both his center and guard reps for weeks now. Davis has previously cited Kendall as one of his top sleepers, remarking that he's shaping up to be a great player. Each has rotated between the two positions, giving Philadelphia two versatile, rapidly developing linemen who are showing that eventual starting roles could be on the horizon.
What once was a major question mark - the depth within the offensive line room - has now emerged as a source of strength. That one play against New England was a snapshot of what's been taking place all summer in practice. Teammates and coaches alike have seen firsthand the strides this duo has made, and now opponents are finding out the hard way.
Read more: Eagles rookie report card from heartbreaking preseason loss to Patriots
Lampkin and Kendall have clearly arrived, and their futures look awfully bright.
Add us as a preferred source on Google