UCF Knights defensive lineman Malachi Lawrence is appearing on several NFL draft boards
Although the UCF Knights struggled in the win department last season, they have a chance to make up for it in the NFL Draft.
Defensive end Malachi Lawrence is making a strong impression on league coaches and general managers. He recently was projected as the No. 43 pick by the Miami Dolphins according to ESPN.
Here's what ESPN wrote: "Needs exist all over the Dolphins' roster, including opposite of Chop Robinson, to boost a pass rush that tied for 23rd in pass rush win rate last season. Lawrence would do exactly that, with some of the best closing ability in the class (19.5 sacks in the past three seasons). He has been a riser during the predraft process."
Lawrence had 28 tackles and seven sacks last year as a senior. The 6-foot-4, 250-pounder is considered one of the top edge rusher available.
"I'd say my strengths are pass rushing, my pass rush ability, just getting to the quarterback, beating the tackle one-on-one, but just also finishing the sacks as well," Lawrence said earlier this month at the NFL Combine in Indianapolis. "And then I'd say just the thing that I can bring that people probably don't expect is just my run defense. Like when I do set the edge, I feel like I set a pretty good edge. I just need to work on my technique and just refine that."
Lawrence said he grew plenty as a player during his time at UCF.
"I feel like I grew the most like kind of in those, junior to this upcoming year, and, like, sophomore year as well," Lawrence said. "Just watching the leaders in front of me and how they led by example and also like were vocal leaders as well and just watching them, it kind of helped me grow into that leadership role as well with the younger guys, just helping them out not only just leading by example but being a vocal leader."
Lawrence is trying to become UCF's second consecutive player drafted in the second round. Last year ex-Knights running back RJ Harvey was selected by the Denver Broncos. Harvey was one of the NFL's most productive rookies.
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Shandel Richardson is the publisher of UCFRoundtable. He can be reached at shandelrich@gmail.com