Shaq Lawson to submit NFL Draft paperwork?

Lawson has tallied 11 tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks this season.

by David Hood - Senior Writer - Wed Dec 17 18:17:16 GMT-04:00 2014

CLEMSON – Because he spent a year at Hargrave Military Academy and is getting ready to complete his second season at Clemson, sophomore defensive end Shaq Lawson Shaq Lawson
So. Defensive End
#90 6-3, 269
Central, SC
View Full Profile is eligible to submit his paperwork to the NFL to get a feel for where he might fit in next spring’s NFL Draft.

Defensive ends coach Marion HobbyMarion Hobby
Co-Defensive Coordinator / Defensive Ends
View Full Profile said over the summer that family reasons might force Lawson into a decision – should he stay at Clemson after his sophomore season or take his chances in the NFL.

Lawson started one game this season and played 276 snaps, logging 40 tackles. However, he also tallied 11 tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks.

Lawson was asked about submitting the paperwork following Wednesday’s practice, and said that while he hasn’t had discussions with anyone about the process, it is something he has thought about.

“I haven't talked anything about that yet or discussed it with anybody. Not sure yet,” Lawson said. "I am thinking about it. This offseason is big for me. I have been in this program for three years now and I have to be able to lead and step into more of a leadership role. I have to change my game and be more of a pass rusher.”

He admitted that family concerns would be the only reason he would leave, but also said he feels like he will be back in Clemson next season.

“Probably family reasons. But that is pretty much it. Not anything else,” he said. “I am more [leaning to] coming back. One of my goals is to get my degree before I leave. That is one of my goals is to get my degree before I leave.”

He also admitted that he wasn’t giving his best effort at the beginning of the season, and a sit-down talk with Hobby helped change his attitude.

“At the beginning of the season I was slacking. I knew I had to turn my game around the last five or six games, and that is what I did,” he said. “I came out every day and practiced hard and that showed in the games. He (Hobby) told me I could play better than that and that I wasn't giving it my all. And then I realized my teammates needed me and I needed to come out here and practice harder every day. I just got more hungry for the ball and tried to speed my game up a little bit. I had to think that each week I am going to play like a starter, and after I did that I started making plays.”

What does he have to do to get better and perhaps set himself up as a high-round draft choice after the 2015 season?

“I just have to get better before they leave and step into a leadership role,” Lawson said. “I have to be able to study my opponents and see their weakness and see what I can do, to be able to be a pass rusher like Vic (Beasley). Vic has taught me a lot about quickness. I see Vic giving effort and running around the field making plays and I feed off that energy. Once Vic makes a big play then I think I have to get in and make a big play. One game for example, against North Carolina, he had run down a pass and I loved it. I love that effort. That is what is going to get him paid. I am looking forward to that. I am ready to get to work.”