NFL Draft Diamonds Prospect Interview: Shawanye Lawrence, DE, Georgia State University

NFL Draft Diamonds has been providing our readers Prospect Interviews over the past 3 years and this year we mixed things up a bit. Our questions are designed to give our readers a little more insight on the draft eligible player. We hope to bring you more than 350 interviews of NFL Draft Prospects this season. You will be able to track them all on the front page of our website in the banner to the right.  Now let’s meet our next prospect!!!!

What is your name? 

Shawanye Lawrence

What is your Height/Weight? 

6’4 275

What is your position? 

I’m a Defensive End

Where do you play college football? 

Georgia State University

Football is about giving back, what is the coolest thing you have done off the field? 

Before our spring game, we had this event where children ages 4+ came out and went through some of our drills. It was the most memorable because being that age you idolize college athletes, so it was cool to encourage those kids to chase those kids to chase their dreams on and off the field.

What was the hardest college class you ever had to take?

Advanced research and design

Where are you from? 

Amityville, New York

Who is your role model, and why? 

My step-dad because his work ethic is unmatched by anyone I’ve ever been around.

Did you play any other sports growing up? 

Wrestling, Track and Field and Basketball

Did you play any other positions in football? 

Offensive tackle/guard, tight end, linebacker, defensive tackle/ nose guard.

At your position, what separates you from others? 

How I focus on my technique and my determination to dominate the man across from me.

When you are breaking down film, what do you look for?

The offensive lineman’s giveaways; if he has pressure on his finger, if he changes his stance when he pulls, certain calls the line may make up front, if he leans when zone blocking.

Who was the toughest player you ever faced? 

Cyrus Kouandjio my freshmen year against Alabama

If you could compare your play to one player in the NFL who would it be and why? 

Bennie Logan from the Philadelphia Eagles because of the way I use my hands and how I am able to strike at the point of contact, then throw the man to make the play

What was the biggest obstacle in your life you had to overcome, and how did you overcome it? 

My high school coach, Coach Teknipp passed away last year. He was always a source of motivation and he believed in me and what I could do on the football field. I’m trying to honor him by working hard at getting to the next level.

Do you have any pre-game rituals? 

No

What is your biggest strength?

My hands and feet, and my overall knowledge of my plays and my opponents.

What is your biggest weakness?

I’m working on my flexibility on the field.

If I were a GM and gave you a second to sell yourself, what would you say? 

I would tell you that I am able to take coaching, that I am someone that is willing to do whatever it takes to lead my team to victory.

Who was your favorite player and/or NFL team growing up? 

Ray Lewis, favorite football team the New York Giants

If you could have dinner with three people dead or alive, who would you choose? 

Martin Luther King Jr. , Albert Einstein, Bob Marley

What will be the first big item you buy once you are in the NFL?

I’d put money towards my niece and nephew’s college tuition.