Ever since he was old enough to pick up a football, Malachi Lawrence has dreamed of playing in the NFL.
It’s a dream he’s carried with him through high school and into college, and it’s now close to becoming a reality.
Lawrence spent the past four seasons at UCF, where he developed into one of the best pass rushers in the Big 12.
His stock has been rising ever since he showcased his talent at last month’s NFL Combine in Indianapolis. The 6-foot-4, 253-pounder delivered an impressive performance in the 40-yard dash, clocking in at 4.52 seconds — the third fastest time recorded by a defensive end.
The fast time in the 40 didn’t surprise Lawrence.
“I had some pretty good times [leading up to the Combine], so it was really just putting the icing on the cake,” said Lawrence.
Lawrence joined more than a dozen former Knights on hand for the school’s Pro Day at Nicholson Fieldhouse on Wednesday. Each player was looking to put on a show for the more than 40 scouts and personnel from 29 of the 32 NFL teams on hand.
Alongside him were edge rusher Nyjalik Kelly, linebackers Keli Lawson and Cole Kozlowski, offensive linemen Cam Kinnie, Jabari Brooks and Paul Rubelt, defensive back Phillip Dunnam, receiver Marcus Burke, running backs Jaden Nixon and Myles Montgomery, tight end Debo Coleman and kicker Noe Ruelas.
Although Lawrence decided not to take part in the drills, he wanted to be there to show his support for his teammates.
“I’m just out here supporting my brothers, seeing how they did. There were some great performances out there,” Lawrence said.
Lawrence led the Knights in sacks (7) and tackles for loss (11) while finishing with 28 tackles, three pass breakups, three quarterback hurries and two forced fumbles. He was the fifth-highest graded defensive end in the Big 12 last season, according to Pro Football Focus.
According to CBS Sports’ Pete Prisco, Lawrence is projected to be a first-round pick, selected No. 22 overall by the Los Angeles Chargers, while ESPN’s Field Yates has Lawrence projected as a second-round pick, landing at the No. 43 spot to the Miami Dolphins.
There are more than a dozen edge rushers projected to be selected in the first two rounds.
The last Knight to be selected in the first round was defensive back Mike Hughes in the 2018 NFL Draft. UCF has had four players selected in the first round and five in the second. Lawrence would be the first UCF defensive end drafted since Bruce Miller in 2011.
Lawrence isn’t focused on projections; he chooses to set aside distractions and concentrate on preparing for the NFL Draft, which takes place from April 23 to 25.
“I just put it aside because I don’t want my head to get too big,” said Lawrence.
UCF edge rusher Malachi Lawrence was on hand for the school’s Pro Day on Wednesday. Lawrence has been projected to be a first-or-second round pick in the upcoming NFL Draft. (Ricardo Ramirez Buxeda/ Orlando Sentinel)
For now, the focus has been on putting the work in while remaining patient.
“Just seeing all the work that I put in and seeing it actually come to life, basically. It’s definitely been a blessing,” Lawrence said.
Lawrence has spoken to close to 30 NFL teams and has a dozen in-person interviews scheduled over the next few weeks. It’s his chance to impress any potential suitors with what he can bring to their teams.
“I’m a great pass rusher and I have a great motor,” said Lawrence. “I’ve been a captain [here], so how can I bring those off-the-field attributes on the field to help the team as well?
“They’re gonna get a dawg, somebody who’s going to come in and work from Day 1, with a great motor who can bring the pass rush abilities to their team.”
Lawrence’s former teammates were also on hand to put on a show.
Kelly, who also participated in the combine with Lawrence, wanted to improve his 40-yard dash time from Indianapolis.
“I was more worried about focusing on my 40 because I didn’t like my time at the combine,” said Kelly, who ran a 4.88 in Indianapolis. “I believe I checked the boxes, so I feel like I did well today.”
For the 6-11, 330-pound Rubelt, who spent five seasons at UCF after growing up in Germany, the goal is simple.
“To get drafted and continue to play football in the United States,” Rubelt said.
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