UCF’s Lawrence enjoys the process | 2026 NFL Draft film review
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Malachi Lawrence (pictured about to take on Micah Pettus) stood out during 2026 East-West Shrine Bowl practices. The All-Big 12 defender continues to impress heading into next month's draft.
With the 2026 NFL Draft right around the corner, former UCF edge rusher Malachi Lawrence ranks as one of its hottest prospects. At the Knights recent Pro Day, he revealed a couple of tidbits which may explain his approach.
When asked about some of the players he models his game after, Lawrence responded with, “Chandler Jones. I like his tape. Even though he’s not in the NFL. Just the way he uses his length. His bend is also great. He has some counters in there.”
Jones, a 2012 first-round pick, finished his illustrious 11-year career with seven double-digit sack campaigns. The recently retired two-time All-Pro once had five sacks in a game.
“I like Maxx Crosby as well. Those are a couple guys,” Lawrence concluded.
Both Jones and Crosby were far from finished products at the collegiate level. In fact, Jones posted just 10 sacks while at Syracuse. Crosby notched the same number of sacks (20) at Eastern Michigan as Lawrence had at UCF. They were both, however, similar in an ability to be disruptive. Jones finished with 27 tackles for loss for the Orange. Meanwhile, Crosby compiled 41 of his own, including 35.5 over his final two years in Ypsilanti.
Enjoying the grind
Likewise, Lawrence does not view himself as a finished product. Despite posting 28 tackles for loss of his own during his career, he feels the need for improvement.
“Run defense. Just polishing up that, I’d say,” Lawrence communicated to the media in attendance on UCF’s Pro Day. “That’s really just my major key, locking in on that.”
Players with Lawrence’s skill-set often get scooped up by rival programs in the NIL-era. Yet, he stayed the course at one school and may now reap its benefits. It is a fact not lost on him as he recounts the experience.
“Here at UCF, it was just a great time. Just like going through the grind,” the team captain said. “Coming from not starting, having captains above you….just learning from them. Just actually going through the grind and enjoying it. Enjoying the process. I’ll say that.”
In our video breakdown, we explore some of the fruits of Lawrence’s labor during an impressive 2026 East-West Shrine Bowl week.
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