Lawrence's refined pass rush technique dominates Shrine Bowl practices, overwhelming blockers and signaling a strong NFL draft prospect.
Malachi Lawrence's fervent rush on day three of the East-West Shrine Bowl practices has given opposing blockers trouble while impressing media members.
Thomas Christopher (@TommyCFB on X) posted two videos of Lawrence using his refined technique to overwhelm the blocking tight end, which could lead to pressures or sacks in-game.
Christopher marked the UCF alum as one of his seven West team standout players on day three. Lawrence joined defensive lineman Michael Heldman from Central Michigan and defensive tackle Keyshawn James-Newby from New Mexico as Christopher's standout defensive players.
Lawrence is coming off a stellar senior season with the Knights. He recorded 28 tackles (17 solo), 11 tackles for a loss, seven sacks, two forced fumbles, three pass breakups and three passes defended.
His performance in 2025 is attributed to his work ethic under multiple coaches, which helped grow his rushing ability during the four years he spent at UCF.
"What I'm most proud of is just seeing how UCF has grown and seeing, like myself, how I've grown with UCF," Lawrence said. "So like, just building my pass rush with different coaches and also seeing like the people before me, like Josh Celiscar, just those people. It's just been pretty good."
As Lawrence chases his NFL dream, he wants to show professional coaches and scouts his growth as a player; that even if he has a down year, he can bounce back and return to form.
"Just showing them that I've developed and I can develop," Lawrence said. Like, just from last year to this year, already having more sacks and less snaps, like that means something. So it just shows that even though I can have a down year, like the following year, I can make it up. So it just shows like I can be developed.
The Kentucky native recorded 15 tackles (12 solo), six tackles for a loss, five sacks, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery, a pass breakup and a pass deflection in 2024. It was a down year for Lawrence, but he bounced back in his senior season.
Lawrence left UCF with a legacy, one highlighting that a player can remain at one school for four years and be successful throughout the tides of change.
"I just hope that people shown that I played my hardest out there," Lawrence said. "You know, I tried my best. So, that's really the legacy and just showing that you can stay somewhere all four years and still have a good career."
The UCF alum will showcase his talents in the East-West Shrine Bowl this Tuesday at 7 p.m. at the Ford Center at the Star in Frisco, Texas, on NFL Network.