ESPN recently released their list of the Top NFL prospects for every Way-Too-Early Top-25 team, in which reporter David Hale listed rising sophomore Dexter Lawrence as the best NFL prospect for the Tigers.
I have to admit, I agree. That’s not to say players such as, Christian Wilkins and Mitch Hyatt aren’t intriguing NFL prospects, rather Lawrence is a once in a generation talent.
Measurables
Clemson Tigers Football
Standing 6-foot-5, 340 pounds, Lawrence is already physically ready to play in the NFL. What’s even more impressive is the fact that Lawrence runs a 5.03 40-yd dash. With his blend of size and quickness, Lawrence is essentially the 8th wonder of the world.
Production
The mammoth defensive tackle, had an outstanding freshman campaign in which he logged 62 total tackles, 9 tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks, and 2 blocked kicks.
After watching Christian Wilkins terrorize opposing offenses in 2015, I didn’t think I would see a freshman defensive lineman perform remotely similar to that for the next decade. I was wrong. Lawrence managed to one-up Wilkins stellar freshman season with a dominant display of his own.
2017 season
Dexter Lawrence may have the attention of nearly every NFL scout across the country already, however he has two more years to play at Clemson.
It will be interesting to see how he builds upon his strong freshman season. Due to the fact that he is an interior defensive lineman, Lawrence may not put up eye popping numbers each year, but, that doesn’t mean he cannot improve.
Next: Can Wayne Gallman start for the New York Giants as a rookie?