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ULM Sophomore Tellek Lockette Looks to be Rising Prospect in 2023

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ULM Sophomore offensive guard Tellek Lockette is primed for a breakout season in 2023 and could push himself into the draft conversation ahead of the 2024 season.

A true freshman rarely finds himself starting a week one college football game, especially on the offensive line. However, that was precisely the position that ULM offensive guard Tellek Lockette found himself playing in the Warhawks’ week one matchup on the road against the Texas Longhorns, lined up against a front of all NFL-caliber defenders.

But how did Lockette find his way into this position?

Coming out of Miami Northwestern High School, Lockette was an overlooked prospect until he transferred to St Thomas Aquinas High School in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. A big interior offensive lineman prospect, it was evident to high school scouts that he had a division-one body. His recruitment picked up at St. Thomas, collecting offers from Charlotte, Coastal Carolina, Florida Atlantic, Jacksonville State, Kentucky, Marshall, Southern Mississippi, and ULM.

By the end of the process, he was a three-star prospect, earning an 82.35 rating on On3’s Industry Ranking. ESPN rated him as the sixth-highest interior offensive line prospect. He spent his time mostly at left guard in high school.

Ultimately, he chose Coach Terry Bowden and the Warhawks, heading to Monroe, Louisiana.

How tragedy creates opportunity

During summer camp, the starting left guard, Peyton Dunn, fell victim to a nagging injury that would force him to miss some time early in the season. ULM shifted right guard Elijah Fisher to the left side and plugged their true freshman Lockette into the right guard spot. Lockette, who had been practicing at his natural position as a left guard, had to learn to mirror his technique and play on the right with a little less than three weeks left to play before their opening game against Texas.

In that first game against Texas, Lockette struggled against a defensive front stacked with NFL players and surrendered three quarterback pressures, including a sack. ULM turned around again after a game against Nichols State and played the Alabama Crimson Tide, where Lockette showed much more improvement, only allowing one pressure in 38 snaps.

Lockette improved over the season as his mechanics slowly settled on the right side. He appeared in eight games on the offensive line, starting three, showing growth and maturity over the season. Peyton Dunn has since transferred to the University of Houston, allowing Lockette to be the prospect to step up and start as a true sophomore.

What stands out about Tellek Lockette

Tellek Lockette’s last measurement was at 6’2-5/8″ and 330 lbs, though he has reportedly shed ten pounds over the offseason and is now down to 320. So what Lockette has is natural leverage, where he can set up under defenders and lock them into his block.

Despite his youth, he’s stout and robust, which allows him to be effective in pass protection. He can settle back and rely on his anchor and hold up against more potent power rushers.

He’s a strong downhill blocker as well, which allows him to pull effectively and hit gaps with intensity and strength.

 

I am very interested to see how Lockette looks lighter and if he’s quicker while on the move. However, there is no denying the potential upside he presents with his size and strength. With the tools in place, Lockette has a chance to explode on the scene with a big season and etch his name into the minds of NFL Draft scouts going into 2024.

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