Just two days after the final game of 2016, junior Carl Lawson has made a decision.
That decision came over Twitter, when the defensive end announced he would forego his senior season on the Plains, and enter his name in the 2017 NFL Draft.
Thank you to the whole AU family for your love and support. Please send prayers my way as I embark on this new journey to the #NFL #WarEagle pic.twitter.com/3n33DVgIvS
— carl lawson (@carllawson55) January 4, 2017
Lawson is leaving Auburn after his best season as a Tiger. This season, Lawson recorded 30 tackles, 24 quarterback hurries, 13 tackles for loss and nine sacks in 13 appearances for the Tigers. The finally healthy Lawson was able to appear in every game for Auburn this season, something he had not been able to accomplish since his freshman season in 2013.
The Alpharetta, Georgia, native finished his career with 67 tackles, three forced fumbles and 14 sacks.
Despite battling injuries throughout his college career where he missed the entire 2014 season, and much of the 2015 season, Lawson will look back on his time at Auburn in a positive way.
“All that bad stuff aside, every day at Auburn has been great,” Lawson said prior to the Sugar Bowl. “I have the fellowship with my brothers, and just got to live this college football experience. Everything leading up to this point has been a great experience.
As a junior this season, Lawson was named first-team coaches All-SEC and FWAA All-American, and second-team AP All-SEC. He was also Auburn's defensive player of the year.
Lawson's coaches and ESPN's Mel Kiper believe that Lawson has a bright NFL future. Kiper told reporters in December that Lawson could be "top 10-15 guy" if he could stay healthy.
Lawson is the first underclassman from Auburn to declare for the 2017 NFL Draft.
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