BIOGRAPHY
Justin Lawler was born on December 23, 1994, in Pottsboro, Texas. He is a Linebacker for the Los Angeles Rams in the NFL.
Lawler attended Pottsboro High School in Pottsboro, Texas. He is related to Los Angeles Clippers Hall of Fame commentator Ralph Lawler.
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.
Lawler was drafted by the Los Angeles Rams in the seventh round (244th overall) of the 2018 NFL Draft. On September 2, 2019, Lawler was placed on injured reserve after undergoing foot surgery. On September 5, 2020, Lawler was waived/injured during final roster cuts by the Rams and subsequently reverted to the team's injured reserve list the next day.
