For some players, it doesn’t take long to make a quick impression on the field as a freshman. For Dexter Lawrence, it quickly became apparent what kind of player he would become when he made his debut against the Auburn Tigers in 2016.
At 6’4, 350 pounds, Lawrence arrived at Clemson as a well-noted behemoth of a freshman defensive tackle, and immediately was recognized for his combination of size and athleticism. Rated as the No. 2 overall player in the country by Rivals and 247sports.com and a unanimous top-10 player by most recruiting services, the Wake Forest, North Carolina product was coveted by virtually every major program.