TigerNet Top-5: Dexter Lawrence made instant impact in championship runs |
Defensive tackle is certainly a candidate for Clemson’s deepest defensive position -- if not any position -- within the ACC era. It is lined with more than a three-deep of All-Americans and a whole host of accolades along the way. Next up according the TigerNet Top-5 formula is recent first-round NFL draft pick Dexter Lawrence. More on Lawrence: Played: 2016-18 Notable career stats: 20 TFLs, 11 sacks, 162 total stops, 43 QB pressures over 40 games (36 starts). Why he’s here: Lawrence made an instant impact with his uncanny athletic ability for his size on three top-10 scoring (No. 1 in 2018) and total (as high as No. 4 in 2017) defensive units, coming out of high school as a 5-star prospect. The Wake Forest, N.C. product earned first-team All-America as a junior in Clemson’s second national-title run in his time on campus, totaling 44 stops, 7.5 TFLs, blocking a kick and rushing for a TD over 13 games. Lawrence totaled a freshman-record seven sacks in the 2016 national-championship and freshman All-American season. He was a second-team All-American as a sophomore with 39 tackles (3 TFL/2.5 sacks/5 QB pressures) in 12 games. Lawrence was one of three Clemson defensive linemen picked in the first round of the 2019 NFL draft (No. 17 to New York Giants), breaking a school record for first-round selections overall. TigerNet Top-5: DT
TigerNet Top-5: DT
Our formula here weighs a number of factors, including national awards, All-America and conference honors as well as school single-game, single-season and career records. An impact rating on that team success and the intangibles involved are also judged in that mix. And wrapping up the college aspect, we take how NFL scouts judged them with their draft position.
5. Jim Stuckey
4. Dexter Lawrence
(Stats compiled and written by Brandon Rink)
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