No. 4 Carl Lawson, defensive end, Alpharetta (Ga.) Milton
THE LAWSON FILE
Carl Lawson
Position: Defensive end
Height: 6-foot-2
Weight: 253
High school: Alpharetta (Ga.) Milton
Carl Lawson videos
Attributes: 6-foot-2, 253 pounds, 4.7 40
Top Schools: Committed to Auburn
NFL comparison: Cameron Wake, Miami Dolphins
Tale of the Tape: Lawson is listed one inch shorter and five pounds lighter than Wake, but the sawed-off defensive end has a relentless motor and quick hands and feet. The comparison four years ago likely would have been to Dwight Freeney because all three had similar attributes and size with the speed to blow off the ball and get to the quarterback.
When we last saw him: At the Under Armour All-America Game in Orlando, Fla., Lawson didn't record a tackle and was held in check after an excellent week in practice. The Auburn commit was credited with a quarterback hurry but was a nonfactor in the contest. The expectations were much higher for him, but it didn't hurt his final standing because his performance all year outweighed one game.
Analyst's take: "Lawson is a little bigger than Freeney and a little smaller than Wake, but I think his game is a model of both as he is a pure pass rusher. It is guys like Freeney, though, who paved the way for undersized guys with high motors to get this kind of shot and show that, if all of the other skills are there, height can be a marginalized measurement. His array of moves and his desire to be a great football player more than compensate for the lone negative in his game." -- Woody Wommack, Rivals.com Southeast analyst.