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Name: Justin Lamson
Position: Quarterback
Year: Freshman
Height: 6’3”
Weight: 216 lbs
Hometown: El Dorado Hills, Ca.
High School: Oak Ridge
2020 stats: Lamson didn’t play his senior season of high school, which was scheduled for the spring, in lieu of enrolling early at Syracuse. He passed for 3,576 total yards and 29 touchdowns his junior season, earning him 2019 NorCal Offensive Player of the Year and 2019 Sacramento Bee Player of the Year honors.
2021 projections: Lamson will have all the opportunity to work his way up the depth chart in the future, but in all likelihood he redshirts this year while learning the playbook and serving on the scout team. That is, if every quarterback doesn’t get injured like in 2020. His dual-threat playstyle makes him an attractive option in Dino Babers’ system, so keep an eye on his development in the near future.
How’d he get here?: Lamson had Louisville, San Jose State, and Wyoming in his top four schools along with Syracuse. He also received offers from Boise State and UPenn.
What’d recruiting sites say?: Three stars all around and a consensus top-100 player in California.
Money quote: Babers noted Lamson’s current development and youth in an interview with Matt Park during the summer:
“Justin has done some things that are unique spring ball and some things that are very predictable for a guy that’s supposed to be getting ready to go to his prom in Disneyland.”
Twitter feed: @justin_lamson10
Tweets of wonder: Lamson already has the stamp of approval from one former Orange quarterback:
Congratulations to all the ‘21 Signees. Your story is just beginning. “Stars” won’t earn you a spot... hardwork, relentlessness, and a winning attitude will. Excited to watch my fellow west coaster @justin_lamson10 represent! #ForeverOrange
— Eric Dungey (@EricDungey) December 16, 2020
What movie would Dino recommend for him?: Maybe it’s my old millennial heart, but I’m still a sucker for good NSYNC songs. Justin Timberlake took that fame into a solo and movie career, and he starred in “Trouble With the Curve” as a Boston Red Sox scout.
Interesting nugget o’interest: Lamson went to the same high school as former Notre Dame starting quarterback Ian Book and the two have participated in workouts together.
Let’s get a look at ya: The coaching breakdown on Lamson: