Timber Creek star taking his time with college pick

Timber Creek's Quanzell Lambert is different from other star football players, and not just because he's a linebacker who looks like a defensive lineman and runs like a cornerback.

In an era in which most scholarship players commit to a college before their senior season, Lambert has resisted the lure of one of the top programs in the nation.

He didn't commit to Auburn or Alabama despite its scholarship offers. He didn't say yes to Oklahoma or Penn State or Florida State or any of the more than three dozen big-time football schools that want him on their campus next September.

"When I was growing up, I really didn't know college football," Lambert said. "I wasn't really into this team or that team. I really want to take my time and look at a lot of schools. I want to see what they have to offer. I want to enjoy the process."

The 6-foot-3, 240-pound Lambert probably is South Jersey's top recruit. He has not yet decided on his five officials visits, although schools such as Alabama, Oklahoma, Iowa, and Northwestern are believed to be high on his list.

The inclusion of Northwestern is telling, since that Big Ten school is known more for its academic strength than its football program. Lambert is a top student with a 3.4 grade point average, Timber Creek coach Rob Hinson said.

Lambert said he is determined to study mechanical engineering in college. He said he grew up helping his father, Herbert, work on automobiles and remains fascinated by the way things work.

"I'm a hands-on guy," Lambert said. "My dad is a mechanic, and I grew up handing him tools and watching him fix cars. That's my mind-set, that I'm going to become a mechanical engineer.

"It's a goal I've set for myself, and I'm going to follow through on it."

Asked if he's more likely to be an engineer or an NFL player in five years, Lambert said, "Hopefully, both. But the most important thing for me is to get my degree. That's more important than the NFL."

Lambert grew up in Camden. He said he hardly played youth football, participating with the Camden Hurricanes as an eighth grader.

He moved to Timber Creek's district as a ninth grader. He has made steady progress in his understanding of the game, Hinson said.

"He's become a student of the game," the coach said. "He's into watching film and starting to really understand other teams and what they are trying to do.

"You see it on the field now. He's trusting his instincts. There's no hesitation."

Lambert said he believes he's still learning the game, especially when compared to players who have been involved in the sport since they were 6 or 7 years old.

"It was tough for me at first," Lambert said. "I had no experience at all. Everything I know about football, I learned in high school. I feel like I'm still learning a lot of things."

Contact staff writer Phil Anastasia at 856-779-3223, panastasia@phillynews.com, or @PhilAnastasia on Twitter.