Former Clemson defensive lineman Dexter Lawrence is entering his fourth season with the New York Giants, and with his reputation growing more toward veteran status, he is taking on more responsibility as a leader.
After playing under the same defensive coordinator for his first three seasons, Lawrence and the Giants’ defense are transitioning to Don Martindale’s scheme. Although the team is still learning, Lawrence believes his role under the new regime is more about becoming a teacher for the younger players.
“I don’t think I have a different role. It’s probably just more advanced maybe,” Lawrence said. “I’m becoming an older guy and have more responsibility to be a leader. You know, I put it on myself to help guys line up or get the strength call, the kind of things I do for myself and for everybody.
As for his play on the field, Lawrence acknowledged the importance of position flexibility after he played on the interior last season instead of his first two seasons when he played on the edge. As a defensive tackle last season, Lawrence finished with 54 total tackles and 2.5 sacks.
“I mean, everybody can do anything in this defense, which is good,” he said. “I can drop, I can rush off the edge, I can play linebacker, blitz, little things like that. We’re all learning how to manipulate the scheme.”
Although Lawrence is just now becoming one of the Giants’ defensive leaders, Clemson fans are no stranger to him leading his team to victory.
As a key member of Clemson’s 2018 National Championship defense, Lawrence finished his junior season with 44 tackles (7.5 for loss), three pass breakups and 1.5 sacks in 13 games. In his three-year career with the Tigers, he had a combined 162 tackles (20 for loss), 11 sacks, 43 quarterback pressures and five pass breakups.
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