Clemson prospect says he feels like he's 'the best' ahead of Draft
Tuesday 26 April 2016 11:20, UK
If you are looking for dominance on the defensive side of the ball, look no further than Shaq Lawson.
The 21-year old standout defensive end from Clemson is one of the star prospects available in this year's NFL Draft, and he is determined to seize his moment.
It is a draft class packed with talented edge rushers, including Joey Bosa out of Ohio State, Georgia's Leonard Floyd and Lawson's former college team-mate Kevin Dodd.
But Lawson is a man full of confidence, coming off a fantastic year in which he recorded 25.5 tackles for loss and 12.5 sacks. And now he is ready to prove that he can be the best.
"I feel like I'm the best. I went up against the best in college," Lawson told Sky Sports.
"I don't take anything from those other guys [defensive ends in the draft], they did good to get to where they are. But, I feel like I'm the best.
"I went up against guys like Ronnie Stanley [standout former Notre Dame offensive tackle], and other guys like that who you're going to see in the NFL.
"I'm an explosive athlete. I can play against the run, and I can play against the pass. I've shown how fast I am - I'm a very explosive guy."
It is hard to argue with Lawson - his numbers and performance levels back up everything he says.
After patiently waiting behind Vic Beasley for two seasons, Lawson finally got his chance to come into his own at Clemson in 2015 after Beasley headed for the NFL.
Lawson is a player who has built his game on explosiveness and making crucial plays when they are needed most. All of that helped Clemson complete an undefeated regular season, before playing in the National Championship game against Alabama in January.
Clemson ultimately lost that game, but what was clear for all to see was that it was a team full of elite-level talent once again.
Just a few short years after producing the likes of Beasley, DeAndre Hopkins and Sammy Watkins, Clemson has unleashed another generation of incredible talent.
Starring alongside Lawson is fellow defensive end Dodd, while star quarterback Deshaun Watson could be one of the most highly coveted players of next year's Draft.
It is clearly a college programme that knows how to create stars, and Lawson reserved special praise for defensive ends coach, Marion Hobby, in helping him to the top of his game.
"Coach Hobby is a great coach - he knew I was special from day one. He always teaches us to do the right thing, teaching us the technique of how to be a success," said Lawson.
"That's where most of our success came from - putting players in the right position to make plays. He was an NFL defensive ends coach - he also played for the Patriots.
"He knows what it takes to get there - having a guy that's been there and done that knows the right ways to make things successful."
Lawson grew up in Central, South Carolina, just one town away from Clemson. It was always a dream of his to play for what was essentially his local team. He could have remained there for a further year, but elected to head for the NFL Draft this time around.
Despite his love for Clemson, he knew it was the right time to go.
"All my coaches felt like I was ready to go. They felt like I was ready to move on to the next level," he added. "I'm ready to move on to bigger and better things. That's what I'm ready to do. I'm ready to go."
Lawson is clearly determined, eager and, more than anything, ready for success and ready to achieve his goals. He will be one of the select players present at Thursday's showpiece event in Chicago, and he revealed that he will be realising a life-long dream when his name is called.
"It feels great knowing I'm going to be an NFL player - it's been something I've been dreaming about since I was a little kid," he added.
"I used to always watch the Draft on TV. I always told myself that one day, I'm going to be there. It's going to be special for me and for my family.
"I'm just happy about the situation and the opportunity that I've got."
With three games at London's Wembley Stadium in 2016, there's a chance Lawson could be bringing his talents across the Atlantic, and he told the UK fans that is something he would very much like to experience.
"It'd be great to play in London - it'd be great to see just what London's like!"
Whether that trip comes next season, the year after or further into the future, we do not yet know. But what is for certain, is that Shaq Lawson will be a man in demand come Thursday night.
You can follow the 2016 NFL Draft on Sky Sports 1 from midnight on Thursday and with us here all week on www.skysports.com/nfl
