Justin Blaine Lawler (born December 23, 1994) is an American football outside linebacker who is a free agent. He played college football at SMU.
| 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 | |||
| |||
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]