Q&A with Fremd OL Christian Lombard

Fremd’s Christian Lombard (76) says part of being a great offensive lineman is playing every play as if it’s your last.
(Buzz Orr/Pioneer Press)

Font Size

Email

Bookmark

Black Text

White Text

An offensive lineman has never won the Heisman Trophy or the Sun-Times Player of the Year award since 1954. Why not? There isn’t enough spotlight on the position. I don’t expect it to happen any time soon. It always goes to playmakers, like quarterbacks or running backs.

Should you be the Player of the Year? It isn’t up to me. I can’t control it. I can only control what I can do. I think I should be on the short list. I’m having a pretty good season, so I deserve to be on the list. A dominating player should win, and I’m a dominating player.

Recruiting analyst Tom Lemming said no offensive lineman in the country is playing better than you. What are you doing right? I’m never satisfied. I have four linemen around me, and I push them. We’re never satisfied. I just want to become the best offensive lineman I can be. I can never be good enough, so I want to keep working.

What does it take to be a great offensive lineman? You have to realize you won’t be in the media every week, but you are the one who makes the runs and passes go. You must have a great work ethic and play every down like it is your last.

What separates great offensive linemen from good ones? Size plays a big role. But you also must have a desire to be great. This year I learned that is what separates the great ones from the good ones, wanting to become great.

Why did you commit so early to Notre Dame? I was offered [a scholarship] as a sophomore. I had a year to decide. I had 29 offers. If you have your priorities in line, you know what you want to do. Education was my biggest priority. In football, it was a close call between Notre Dame and Iowa. But it wasn’t a close call in education. I have more opportunities with Notre Dame.

Coach Mike Donatucci said what separates you from everybody else is you developed a nasty streak. How did you do that? They are trying to take something away from me, and I don’t want it to happen.

How important is it for you to play in the NFL? It definitely is my No. 1 dream. That’s what I’m working toward. I’m a big Bears fan. Playing in Soldier Field is the next-best thing to playing in Notre Dame Stadium.

Who is the best offensive lineman you have seen? It’s a tie between Joe Thomas and Orlando Pace. Anthony Munoz was before my time, but he was the best offensive tackle of all time. My dream is to become great and be like him.

Superstitions? I have a peanut butter-and-jelly sandwich and pretzels before every game.

In your dreams, whom would you like to see across the line of scrimmage? Jared Allen of the Minnesota Vikings. He is the best defensive end in the NFL. I’d like to try to block him.

Who would be your partner for ‘‘Dancing With the Stars’’? Anna Kournikova, the tennis player.

How good is your team, and how far can you go in the playoffs? We’re the best team in the state physically. We’re the hardest-working. We did triples over the summer. We have a great chance of doing something we’ve never done before.