DeMarcus Lawrence facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
DeMarcus Lawrence

Lawrence with the Dallas Cowboys in 2021
No. 90 – Dallas Cowboys
Position:	Defensive end
Personal information
Born:	(1992-04-28) April 28, 1992 (age 33) Aiken, South Carolina, U.S.
Height:	6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
Weight:	265 lb (120 kg)
Career information
High school:	Silver Bluff (Aiken, South Carolina)
College:	Butler CC (2010–2011) Boise State (2012–2013)
NFL Draft:	2014 / Round: 2 / Pick: 34
Career history
Dallas Cowboys (2014–present)
Roster status:	Active
Career highlights and awards
Second-team All-Pro (2017) 4× Pro Bowl (2017, 2018, 2022, 2023) First-team All-MWC (2012, 2013)
Career NFL statistics as of Week 8, 2024
Total tackles: 450 Sacks: 61.5 Forced fumbles: 21 Fumble recoveries: 8 Interceptions: 2 Pass deflections: 20 Defensive touchdowns: 2
Player stats at PFR

DeMarcus Lawrence (born April 28, 1992) is an American professional football player. He plays as a defensive end for the Dallas Cowboys in the National Football League (NFL). The Cowboys chose him in the second round of the 2014 NFL draft. Before joining the NFL, he played college football for the Butler Community College Grizzlies and the Boise State Broncos.

DeMarcus Lawrence's Early Life and High School Football

DeMarcus Lawrence grew up in Aiken, South Carolina. He went to Silver Bluff High School. In his final year of high school, he played several positions. These included tight end, offensive tackle, and defensive tackle. He made 97 tackles and had three sacks. He was also chosen for the North-South All-Star team.

College Football Career Highlights

Lawrence started his college football journey at Butler Community College. In 2010, he was redshirted. This means he practiced with the team but did not play in games. This allowed him to gain experience without using a year of his college eligibility.

In 2011, as a redshirt freshman, he was a star player. He made 69 tackles and led his team with 21 tackles for loss. He also led the team with 12 sacks. His great performance earned him All-Jayhawk Conference and NJCAA All-America honors.

Playing for Boise State Broncos

Lawrence then moved to Boise State University in 2012. As a sophomore, he started all 11 games. He led his new team with 13.5 tackles for loss and 9.5 sacks. He also had 48 tackles and forced four fumbles. He recovered two fumbles, even running one back for a 25-yard touchdown. He also had one interception and blocked a kick.

In 2013, as a junior, he started all 12 games. He made 72 tackles and had 20.5 tackles for loss. This was one of the best numbers in the nation. He also recorded 10.5 sacks. He had a streak of six games in a row with a sack. By the end of his college career, he had 20 sacks. This tied him for seventh in Boise State history. After this season, he decided to enter the 2014 NFL draft.

College Statistics

Here are some of DeMarcus Lawrence's college football statistics:

DeMarcus Lawrence's NFL Career

The Dallas Cowboys picked DeMarcus Lawrence in the second round of the 2014 NFL Draft. They traded up to get him. He was chosen to help improve their defensive line.

First NFL Seasons (2014-2016)

In 2014, Lawrence broke his foot during training camp. This meant he missed the start of his first season. He played his first game in Week 9. He made 11 tackles but had no sacks that year.

In the playoffs, he showed his potential. In a game against the Detroit Lions, he made a big play. He sacked the quarterback, causing a fumble, and then recovered the ball. This helped the Cowboys win the game. He had two sacks and two fumble recoveries in the playoffs.

In 2015, Lawrence became a key player for the Cowboys. He started 13 games. He recorded 56 tackles and led the team with eight sacks. He had a streak of seven games with at least one sack. After the season, he had back surgery.

In 2016, Lawrence was suspended for four games. He played in nine games that season. He made eight tackles and had one sack. He also forced a fumble. He missed the last three games due to a back injury. He returned for the playoffs.

Breakout Seasons (2017-2018)

Lawrence about to sack Kirk Cousins in a game against the Washington Redskins in 2017

The 2017 season was a huge year for Lawrence. He moved back to his favorite position on the left side of the defensive line. In Week 2, he forced a fumble against the Denver Broncos. This led to a touchdown for the Cowboys.

In Week 3, he sacked Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer three times. This gave him a league-leading 6.5 sacks early in the season. He was named NFC Defensive Player of the Week. He also earned NFC Defensive Player of the Month for September.

Lawrence finished 2017 with 14.5 sacks. This tied him for second-most in the NFL. Because of his amazing performance, he was chosen for his first Pro Bowl. He was also ranked 34th among the NFL Top 100 Players of 2018.

In 2018, the Cowboys used the "franchise tag" on Lawrence. This meant they kept him on the team for another year. In Week 4, he had another three-sack game against the Lions. He finished the season with 10.5 sacks. He also led the team in tackles for loss and quarterback pressures. He was named to his second straight Pro Bowl. He was ranked 45th by his fellow players on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2019.

Continued Success (2019-Present)

In 2019, the Cowboys signed Lawrence to a big five-year contract. This made him one of the highest-paid defensive ends in the NFL. He started all 16 games. He had 40 tackles and five sacks. He also forced two fumbles and recovered two.

Lawrence in 2020

In 2020, Lawrence continued to be a strong force. In Week 5, he had his first sack of the season against the Giants. It was a "strip sack," meaning he knocked the ball out of the quarterback's hand. A teammate recovered it for a touchdown. He finished the season leading the team with 6.5 sacks and four forced fumbles.

In 2021, Lawrence had surgery on his foot and missed several games. He returned in December. In Week 16, he made a memorable play. He intercepted a pass and ran it back 40 yards for a touchdown. He finished the season with 21 tackles and one interception in seven games.

In 2022, Lawrence signed a new contract extension with the Cowboys. In Week 5, he recovered a fumble and ran it 19 yards for a touchdown against the Los Angeles Rams. He played in all 17 games, making 65 tackles and forcing three fumbles. He was named a Pro Bowler for his great performance. He was ranked 99th on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2023.

In 2023, Lawrence started all 17 games again. He recorded four sacks, 50 tackles, and forced one fumble. He was named a Pro Bowler for the 2023 season, showing his consistent high level of play.

NFL Career Statistics

Here are DeMarcus Lawrence's NFL statistics:

Regular season

Postseason