Justin Lawler
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Born: | December 23, 1994 Pottsboro, Texas, U.S. | ||
| Height: | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) | ||
| Weight: | 265 lb (120 kg) | ||
| Career information | |||
| High school: | Pottsboro | ||
| College: | SMU | ||
| Position: | Linebacker | ||
| NFL draft: | 2018 / Round: 7 / Pick: 244 | ||
| Career history | |||
| * Offseason and/or practice squad member only | |||
| Career highlights and awards | |||
| Career NFL statistics | |||
| |||
| Player stats at NFL.com | |||
Justin Blaine Lawler (born December 23, 1994) is an American football outside linebacker who is a free agent. He played college football at SMU.
Early years
Lawler attended Pottsboro High School in Pottsboro, Texas. He is related to Los Angeles Clippers Hall of Fame commentator Ralph Lawler.[1]
College career
While only ranked as a two-star prospect from Texas, Lawler's first-team all-state selection (124 tackles, 28 tackles for loss, 13 sacks; 44 catches, 719 yards, 11 touchdowns receiving) portended a good career at SMU. The former high school power lifter was ready to play right away, earning time in all 12 games as a true freshman (23 tackles) and getting some time on offense (three-yard touchdown, two-point conversion). Lawler earned the starting job as a sophomore, lining up for every game and leading the Mustangs with 64 tackles, nine for loss while compiling five sacks. His break-out season came in 2016, garnering first-team American Athletic Conference accolades, racking up 65 stops and leading the team with 15 tackles for loss and six sacks. Lawler gained first-team all-conference recognition as a senior, as well, racking up 74 tackles, 15.5 for loss, 9.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, and three blocked kicks for the Mustangs.[2]
Professional career
| Height | Weight | Arm length | Hand span | 40-yard dash | 10-yard split | 20-yard split | 20-yard shuttle | Three-cone drill | Vertical jump | Broad jump | Bench press | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 ft 4+1⁄8 in (1.93 m) |
263 lb (119 kg) |
32+1⁄2 in (0.83 m) |
9+1⁄4 in (0.23 m) |
5.03 s | 1.78 s | 2.88 s | 4.46 s | 7.44 s | 30+1⁄2 in (0.77 m) |
8 ft 10 in (2.69 m) |
22 reps | |
| All values from Southern Methodist Pro Day[3] | ||||||||||||
Los Angeles Rams
Lawler was drafted by the Los Angeles Rams in the seventh round (244th overall) of the 2018 NFL Draft.[4] During his rookie year in 2018, Lawler played in six games and recorded six tackles.
On September 2, 2019, Lawler was placed on injured reserve after undergoing foot surgery.[5]
On September 5, 2020, Lawler was waived/injured during final roster cuts by the Rams,[6] and subsequently reverted to the team's injured reserve list the next day.[7]
On August 31, 2021, Lawler was waived by the Rams and re-signed to the practice squad the next day.[8] Lawler won his first Super Bowl ring when the Rams defeated the Cincinnati Bengals in Super Bowl LVI.[9]
Tennessee Titans
On February 23, 2022, Lawler signed with the Tennessee Titans.[10] He was released on August 22, 2022.[11]
References
- ^ "Twitter". mobile.twitter.com. Retrieved February 25, 2019.
- ^ "Justin Lawler, DE, SMU". CBS Sports. March 20, 2018. Retrieved September 28, 2018.
- ^ "Justin Lawler, Southern Methodist, DE, 2018 NFL Draft Scout, NCAA College Football". draftscout.com. Retrieved August 29, 2021.
- ^ Kremenjas, Sosa (April 28, 2018). "Los Angeles Rams select SMU EDGE Justin Lawler". TurfShowTimes.com. Retrieved June 11, 2018.
- ^ DaSilva, Cameron (September 2, 2019). "Rams place Justin Lawler on IR, sign C Coleman Shelton to active roster". The Rams Wire. USA Today. Retrieved December 15, 2023.
- ^ "Rams waive nine players, place Howard on injured reserve and Robinson on reserve/non-football injury list". TheRams.com. September 5, 2020.
- ^ "Rams' Justin Lawler: Placed on injured reserve". CBSSports.com. September 6, 2020. Retrieved September 15, 2020.
- ^ Jackson, Stu (September 1, 2021). "Rams sign 14 players to practice squad". TheRams.com.
- ^ "Super Bowl LVI - Los Angeles Rams vs. Cincinnati Bengals - February 13th, 2022". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved March 25, 2023.
- ^ Wyatt, Jim (February 23, 2022). "Titans Agree To Terms With LB Justin Lawler". TennesseeTitans.com. Retrieved March 25, 2023.
- ^ Wyatt, Jim (August 22, 2022). "Titans Part Ways With Four Players as Roster Trimming Continues". TennesseeTitans.com. Retrieved March 25, 2023.