CeeDee Lamb

BIOGRAPHY

Cedarian DeLeon “CeeDee” Lamb was born on April 8, 1999, in Opelousas, Louisiana. He witnessed the harsh realities of life at an early age when he and his family had to evacuate New Orleans in 2005 due to the destruction from Hurricane Katrina. They sought refuge in Houston, Texas. It was in Texas, at John and Randolph Foster High School in Richmond, that Lamb discovered his knack for American football.

Developing quickly into a talented wide receiver, he left his mark on high school football. Junior year saw him make 57 receptions for a significant 1,082 yards, and he scored 11 touchdowns. As a senior in 2016, Lamb made an exceptional 98 receptions for 2,032 yards (ranking fourth in state history), achieved 33 receiving touchdowns, and made three successful punt returns for touchdowns. Alongside quarterback Alex Ramart, he propelled the team to an outstanding 14-1 overall record, only marred by a single defeat to Temple High School in the 5A-D1 state semifinals. Lamb’s stellar performance was recognized with All-State, Houston Touchdown Club’s Offensive Player of the Year, and the Houston Chronicle’s All-Greater Houston Football Offensive Player of the Year accolades.

Ranked as a four-star recruit by leading sporting platforms 247Sports.com, Rivals.com, and ESPN, Lamb was highly sought-after by the University of Alabama and University of Texas. Nonetheless, he committed to the University of Oklahoma on July 25, 2016. He had an impressionable debut as a true freshman where he shared the field with quarterback Baker Mayfield, the esteemed Heisman Trophy winner. Lamb played in all 14 games, and displayed his prowess with 46 receptions, 807 yards, and seven touchdowns.

Becoming a sophomore in 2018, Lamb shared a solid rapport with his quarterback Kyler Murray, who also triumphed with the Heisman Trophy. With his notable contributions, the Sooners secured a 12-2 record and made it to the playoff. Lamb made news with five 100-yard receiving games and, along with Marquise Brown, became the first wide-receiver duo in the school’s history to achieve 1,000-yard receiving seasons within the same year. He also set a new career-high with 167 receiving yards while playing against Texas in the Big 12 Championship. Furthermore, he demonstrated his talent against the top-ranked Alabama Crimson Tide by securing eight receptions for 109 yards.

Entering as a junior in 2019, Lamb caught passes from quarterback Jalen Hurts, who was the runner-up for the Heisman Trophy. After securing 62 passes for 1,327 yards and 14 touchdowns, he was dubbed a first-team All-American. His record of 21.4 yards average per reception remains the highest for an OU player with at least 50 receptions in a season. In the 2020 NFL Draft, Lamb was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the first round as the 17th overall pick.

Making his NFL debut against the Los Angeles Rams in the season opener, Lamb registered five receptions for 59 yards. Since then, he continued to shatter records and achieve milestones, playing pivotal roles in the Cowboys’ victories. By the end of his rookie season, Lamb had clocked 74 receptions for 935 yards and five touchdowns, along with 10 carries for 82 yards and a touchdown in 16 games.

Lamb’s second professional season was marked by impressive performances that saw him become the team’s leading receiver. He accomplished 79 receptions for 1,102 yards and six touchdowns, earning him his first selection to the Pro Bowl as a replacement for Cooper Kupp. He also ranked 95th among players on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2022.

Lamb’s third season in 2022 was an epitome of excellence as he established career highs with 107 receptions, 1,359 yards, and nine touchdowns in 17 games. He was named a Pro Bowler for the second time and was also named to the AP All-Pro 2nd Team. In the Wild Card Round against the Buccaneers, he recorded four receptions for 68 yards, scoring his first postseason touchdown in the 31-14 road victory. In the Divisional Round against the 49ers, Lamb made a significant impact with 10 catches for 117 yards.

With each passing game, CeeDee Lamb pushes the boundaries and redefines history. This was evident when in the Cowboys’ Week 10, 41-35 win against the New York Giants, Lamb became the first player in NFL history to have at least 10 catches amounting to over 150 yards in three consecutive games. Furthermore, in the Cowboys’ Week 17, 20-19 win over the Detroit Lions, Lamb made 13 catches and achieved 227 receiving yards, surpassing the Cowboys franchise record previously held by Michael Irvin for the most receptions and receiving yards in a single season. All of these feats only embolden the fact that CeeDee Lamb’s football journey has been nothing short of illustrious, and he continues to aim for the stars.