Fremd's Lombard right where he belongs
SAN ANTONIO - Christian Lombard can't touch the most valuable souvenir he took home from the U.S. Army All-American Bowl.
But what the standout offensive lineman from Fremd High School gained this week while battling the nation's top high school prospects, a competition that ended Saturday inside the Alamodome, should benefit him more at Notre Dame than any trinket could.
"I learned that I belong with these players and I'm one of the top players in the nation," Lombard said. "Not to be cocky or self-centered, but I think I do deserve to be here."
Lombard proved that during the week when he played tackle, guard and center for the East Team, which fell 30-14 the West in the 10th annual Army Bowl. Lombard, who played right guard in the game, was on the field for both East touchdowns.
The All-American Bowl has featured 114 NFL draft picks in the past decade including Tom Zbikowski, who graduated from Buffalo Grove and starred at Notre Dame before moving on to the Baltimore Ravens.
Lombard didn't arrive here with Zbikowski's fanfare or that of this year's top-ranked player in Illinois, wide receiver Kyle Prater of Proviso West. True to his position, Lombard stayed under the radar, aiming to fit in more than stand out.
That's been Lombard's approach since he committed to the Irish during last year's Army Bowl from the sidelines, making his decision without picking a hat on national television. Since then he's watched Notre Dame nearly upset USC, slump to a 6-6 finish, fire head coach Charlie Weis and hire Brian Kelly to replace him.
Lombard still doesn't know who'll coach him on the offensive line in South Bend, although he could have found out Saturday night after sitting down with several Notre Dame assistants that traveled here to recruit for the Irish.
"I committed to a school not a coach, I can say that every day," Lombard said. "Being committed for so long, I've gone through two line coaches already. With Notre Dame, whoever they get, they're going to be a good coach."
Two other Irish commitments joined the U.S. Army All-American Bowl roster in linebacker Blake Lueders and receiver Austin Collinsworth. The Illinois roster featured, Lombard, Prater, tight end C.J. Fiedorowicz of Johnsburg and defensive end Chance Carter of Evanston. Playing with and against that competition taught Lombard a lesson he couldn't receive in the Mid-Suburban League.
"The speed, power, everyone's good," Lombard said. "All these guys I went up against, it taught me that I do have a chance to maybe start early in college and I can play with these guys."