Dexter Lawrence has bad news for the ACC
Dexter Lawrence was a major problem for opposing offenses last season. The news that he wasn’t healthy during the 2017 campaign is bad news for the ACC.
NFL scouts flocked last season to Clemson to get a close look at defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence. Per his own words, they didn’t get a real look at what the massive lineman is capable of. That should change for Lawrence, Tigers fans and NFL scouts this season.
The major reason Lawrence struggled to play to his full potential last season was due to injury. The 6-foot-5, 340-pound defensive tackle estimates he was only playing at 45 to 50 percent of his true capacity last year. Specifically, Lawrence claims the nerve block he received during surgery caused him to struggle with pain in his leg and foot. One can imagine how difficult it must be to haul 340 pounds around on bad wheels.
If Lawrence is right, and he can play at full health in 2018, the Clemson defensive lineman is going to be an absolute nightmare for every opponent. Dabo Swinney’s defensive tackle duo will be the strongest group in the country. Lawrence plays alongside All-American Christian Wilkins on the inside. Each player has the ability to wreak havoc by rushing the passer and snuffing out the run game.
The reality is that the Clemson defense may need to be special this season to cover up for an inconsistent offense. Swinney and the rest of the Tigers coaching staff still haven’t decided who the starting quarterback will be this season. The incumbent Kelly Bryant holds a slight lead over fresh-faced freshman Trevor Lawrence. That uncertainty could cause the Clemson offense to sputter until one player grabs clear control of the offense.
Expect Lawrence to have a massive season. There’s never been a question about the junior’s talent level. Watching his sophomore film makes it obvious that something wasn’t right about the way he was moving around on the field. Lawrence wasn’t a bad player, but he struggled to dominate games in the manner he did as a freshman.
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If Clemson is going to make a serious run at a berth in the College Football Playoff it will need Lawrence to play like an NFL first round pick. If he’s fully healthy in 2018 he has the talent to rocket into the top-10. That could allow the Tigers to win another national championship.