Take a look at the All-American defensive end out of Clemson on the field.
Clemson defensive lineman Shaq Lawson runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine on Tuesday, March 1, 2016, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Clemson defensive lineman Shaq Lawson runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine on Tuesday, March 1, 2016, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
FILE - In this Sept. 12, 2015, file photo, Clemson's Shaq Lawson (90) rushes against Appalachian State's Davante Harris during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Clemson, S.C. Before the Atlantic Coast Conference defensive player of the year takes for the field for your favorite pro team next season, watch the 6-foot-3, 275-pound standout at his dominant best when the Tigers face Oklahoma in the College Football Playoff semifinals on New Years Eve. (AP Photo/Richard Shiro, File)
Clemson Tigers defensive end Shaq Lawson (90) rushes against Alabama Crimson Tide offensive lineman Cam Robinson (74) during the NCAA College Football Playoff National Championship game on Monday, Jan. 11, 2016, in Glendale, Ariz. (Ric Tapia via AP)
Shaq Lawson runs drills at Clemson's NFL football Pro Day Thursday, March 10, 2016, in Clemson, S.C. (AP Photo/Richard Shiro)
Notre Dame quarterback DeShone Kizer, right, scrambles out of the pocket while pressured by Clemson's Shaq Lawson during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 3, 2015, in Clemson, S.C. (AP Photo/Richard Shiro)
Oklahoma quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) is sacked by Clemson defensive end Shaq Lawson (90) during the first half of the Orange Bowl NCAA college football semifinal playoff game, Thursday, Dec. 31, 2015, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Clemson defensive end Shaq Lawson (90) celebrates a first-quarter sack with Grady Jarrett during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Georgia Tech, Thursday, Nov. 14, 2013, in Clemson, S.C. (AP Photo/ Richard Shiro)
Clemson Tigers defensive end Shaq Lawson (90) against Alabama Crimson Tide during the NCAA College Football Playoff National Championship game on Monday, Jan. 11, 2016, in Glendale, Ariz. (Ric Tapia via AP)
Clemson Tigers defensive end Shaq Lawson (90) during the NCAA College Football Playoff National Championship game against the Alabama Crimson Tide on Monday, Jan. 11, 2016, in Glendale, Ariz. (Ric Tapia via AP)
*In order to familiarize fans with some of the top names in the 2016 NFL Draft, Chargers.com will be highlighting a different prospect each weekday leading up to the first day of the draft on April 28th. *
We continue the series with a scouting report of Clemson DE Shaq Lawson.
Name: Shaq Lawson
School: Clemson
Height: 6-3
Weight: 269 pounds
Position: DE/OLB
NFL Network Pro Comparison: Courtney Upshaw
Shaq Lawson arrived at Clemson with lofty expectations.
After living up to the hype with a monster junior season, he now enters the NFL Draft as one of the highest regarded prospects.
Lawson led the nation with 24.5 tackles for loss in 2015 and ranked third with 12.5 sacks to anchor a ferocious Tigers defense. The defensive end was a consensus All-American selection and first-team All-ACC pick, and pundits point to his dominating performance against Notre Dame as a taste of what he is capable of at the next level. Facing off against another highly touted prospect in OT Ronnie Stanley, Lawson tallied seven tackles including 3.5 for loss. He also notched two sacks in Clemson's National Championship Game loss to Alabama.
Thanks to his powerful, compact frame, NFL Network accurately describes the 6-3, 269-pounder as "tank". An elite force against the run, he routinely penetrates into the backfield to meet running backs behind the line of scrimmage. Lawson relies more on brute strength rather than athleticism, and he plays with a non-stop motor through the whistle. He is also scheme versatile, able to serve as 4-3 end or as an edge-setting OLB in a 3-4 system.
While he's had success rushing the passer, some pundits would like to him add some new tricks to his tool box. Overall, Lawson has a bright future as a physical tone setter from the moment he enters the league.
Combine Metrics
40-Yard Dash:4.70 seconds
Vertical Jump: 33.0 inches
Broad Jump: 120.0 inches
3-Cone Drill: 7.16 seconds
The opinions, analysis and/or speculation expressed above do not represent the opinions or policies of the San Diego Chargers' front office staff, coaches or executives.
