Clemson’s Shaq Lawson has declared for the 2016 NFL Draft.
The Clemson Tigers were unable to beat the Alabama Crimson Tide in Monday’s National Championship game. The Tigers fell 45-40 to Nick Saban’s squad, after Saban made some gutsy calls that changed the momentum away from the Tigers. Clemson has been ranked number one in ESPN’s way-too-early College Football Polls.
Junior Defensive end Shaq Lawson was questionable heading into the National Championship game, but he was able to tough it out and compete at a high level against Alabama. Lawson was able to disrupt the Alabama offense by controlling the line of scrimmage, but he couldn’t do it by himself. Clemson gave up tons of yards late in the game, but other than one huge run Derrick Henry ripped off, the Tigers were able to limit the Alabama run game. Lawson had a fantastic showing on a national stage, which was probably a deciding factor in his decision to enter this year’s NFL Draft.
— Shaq Lawson (@Shaq_Lawson90) January 13, 2016
Lawson has been a three-year starter at Clemson, and he has had three great seasons as an edge pass rusher. He accumulated 60 tackles this season, 25.5 of those being tackles for loss. In 2014, Lawson only had 3.5 sacks, which isn’t the production NFL scouts are looking for in a pass rusher, so Lawson obviously took that to heart. Lawson ended the 2015 season with 13 sacks, which ranked third in the nation.
Lawson is 6’3, 270 pounds and has long arms that can control the line of scrimmage. He also possesses the ability to stop the run by using those long arms to neutralize any offensive lineman that he goes up against. Lawson also has a nice spin move that has worked well at the college level. His pass rushing moves will transition well, but he’ll have to adjust to learning new moves, because everyone at the next level is more athletic and has a higher football IQ than most college players.
Lawson’s motor, along with his skill set, is going to make him one of the most attractive defensive lineman entering this year’s NFL Draft. Lawson is projected to be drafted in the second or third round.