Justin Lawrence (36) of the Morgan State Bears has the quickness and power to take over tackles and harass quarterbacks
Sriking Fear - By Jeff Glatzer, Football.com
Coaches love a defensive lineman with a nasty streak. That's exactly what defensive end Justin Lawrence from Morgan State of the MEAC conference play's with. This quick, powerful fifth-year senior has the mental make-up to be a fierce competitor.
At 6-1, 280 pounds, Lawrence displays tremendous athleticism, earning him a selection to the All-MEAC first team in 2008. He also led the team in tackles for loss (17 for 82 yards), in sacks (8 for 60 yards lost), and forced fumbles (four).
Already a feared pass rusher, his strength has made him an excellent run stuffer at the nose position in 3-4 alignments. He has a tremendous motor in the trenches and is a very intelligent football player. He reads and defines his keys quickly as he reacts to the ball carrier and the quarterback.
Off the field, Lawrence is a soft-spoken, friendly guy. He has a calm demeanor which translates well onto the field in pressure situations. When he peers across the line, anticipating what the tackles are going to do, he does so with a calm confidence.
Film study is very important part of his game, helping to maintain his edge over the opponents.
"Watching the tackles, I look at the tendencies to see on first, second down how they are setting. Tackles are easy to read because they set heavy on their hands. That means they're getting ready to run block," explains Lawrence.
The Bears use a base 4-3 defensive system where they utilize Lawrence's versatility around up and down the line.
Lawrence cites his high school coach, Terico Greenhowe, as the biggest influence on his football career. Before attending college, Lawrence made All-District and All-Region in each of his four seasons at Jetersville, Virginia's Amelia County High School. Under Greenhowe's guidance, he was also voted a two-time All-State performer as a linebacker and fullback.
"He kept me on the straight and narrow and I want to thank him for that," states Lawrence. "He helped me learn the game, teach me the game, not just watching film… but watching the film. Knowing what's going on with teams' tendencies and things like that."
On the field, he has a natural ability to come off the ball fast. He has added a spin move to compliment his speed and athleticism which has been timed at 4.71 in the 40. Additionally, he has been and continues to be utilized as a fullback, scoring two touchdowns last season in short yardage situations.
Opposing teams already fear his explosiveness off the line and will be unprepared to face him next fall once they discover how much quicker he has become.
Defensive Coordinator and Defensive Line Coach Herbert Parham has been conducting extensive spring practices to prepare his defense for the upcoming season.
"He just works us. He works us hard," comments Lawrence. "Of course after practice we do extra work on the bags. We work on double-team blocking, reading down blocks and kick out [blocks] and stuff like that."
Versatility goes a long way at any level. When an injury occurs, they can just plug in the versatile guy at any position of need. It makes the coaches' job easier. Lawrence can play all the positions along the defensive line.
Coach Parham says Lawrence has a specific purpose. "I like him on the perimeter better because he can contain the quarterback and he can take away the off tackle play. He's also a great pass rusher."
Mental toughness both in life and in football came at an early age for Lawrence. On his 14th birthday, his father passed away. That's tough at any age.
"From that point on, my mentality has just been totally different. I'm able to do things that a normal person couldn't do. Just on the strength that I've already been through the worst," he explains.
He relies on the support of his mother and the rest of his family for guidance in his career.
Lawrence has already become a leader on the field through his play and execution. He was elected team captain as both a freshman and a sophomore, and this coming season as a senior.
Special teams is a unit where a lot of players look to make the cut. Even with all of his accomplishments so far, Lawrence still relishes the role of participating as a wedge buster on special teams.
It proves that he enjoys contact, is intelligent, and is a team leader. Those are the ingredients that will make coaches at the next level fall in love with a player.
