Dexter Lawrence makes a huge play in the Giants' win

The 17th overall selection in the 2019 NFL Draft, the former Clemson All-American defensive lineman was a key reason why the 0-3 New York Giants were able to upset the 3-0 Los Angeles Chargers.

Dexter Lawrence II is an all-time defensive player for Clemson and has carried over his success from college to the NFL very nicely. Entering his seventh year in the NFL, Lawrence II has made a name for himself as one of the NFL’s best interior defensive linemen. During the Giants’ 21-18 win over the Chargers on Sunday, Lawrence made a very crucial play to help the Giants secure the win. In the second quarter of Sunday’s game, Lawrence II batted an attempted pass from Chargers’ quarterback Justin Herbert up in the air and ended up with an interception.

Lawrence II returned his interception for 37 yards, coming just three yards short of the endzone. The Giants had to settle for only three points, which seemed like a letdown at the time, but those three points helped the Giants hold off the Chargers.

Lawrence finishes the game with one solo tackle, one tackle for loss, and one pass defensed (turned into an interception).

Clemson legend has created quite an NFL career

While wearing the Clemson orange, Lawrence II accumulated 134 total tackles (53 solo tackles), 20 tackles for loss, 11 sacks, four pass breakups, four passes defensed, and one forced fumble in his 40 games played over his three-year Clemson career.

Earning First-Team All-American honors in his final season was also a three-time All-ACC selection before declaring for the 2019 NFL Draft.

Since joining the NFL, Lawrence has been named to the Pro Bowl three times (2022-2024) in his seven-year career and was named to the NFL All-Rookie Team in 2019. Lawrence II was selected to the All-Pro Second Team in back-to-back seasons (2023 & 2024).

With 318 total tackles (175 solo tackles), 36 tackles for loss, 30 sacks, and 97 QB hits, Lawrence II has carved out a very impressive NFL career through the first seven years of his career. From mainly the inside defensive tackle spot, Lawrence II had four of his six seasons before 2025 with at least four sacks on the season. He has established himself as a premier rushing threat on the inside of the defensive line, posting a career high of nine sacks last season.

As a top-level interior defensive lineman, the former Tiger, Lawrence II, has established himself as an impactful player in the middle of the trenches. The Giants have a special player in the middle of that defensive line.