Cameron Lawrence (American football)

Lawrence attended Magnolia Heights High School, where he was a two-way player at quarterback, linebacker and defensive back. As a sophomore, he helped the school win a state title.

As a junior, he tallied 1,854 yards, 26 touchdowns, 138 tackles and 4 interceptions.

As a senior, he was selected to the All-state second-team at linebacker and to the Mississippi Association of Private Schools All-star team.[1] He contributed to the team having a 22-2 record in his final two years.

He also lettered in track (finished second in the 300 metres hurdles) and baseball (runner-up at state as a sophomore).

Lawrence accepted a football scholarship from Mississippi State University as an undersized player without a clear position. As a true freshman, he appeared in all 12 games, making 14 defensive tackles, while focusing on the kick coverage units. He played at linebacker, quarterback, wide receiver and safety.[1]

As a sophomore, he played in the first 10 games before suffering a knee injury. He returned for the 2011 Gator Bowl. He finished the season with 31 tackles (2.5 for loss). He had 6 tackles against the University of Kentucky.[1]

As a junior, he earned the starting position at weakside linebacker. He led the team with 123 tackles (second in the SEC) and was selected to the Rivals.com All-SEC second-team. He also recorded 6 tackles for loss, 2 sacks, 2 interceptions and 2 passes defensed. He had 14 tackles (3.5 for loss) against Auburn University. He made 12 tackles (0.5 for loss) and returned an interception 31 yards against the University of Alabama.[1]

As a senior, he registered 120 tackles (third in the SEC), becoming the first MSU player since 1994 with 100-plus tackles in back-to-back seasons. He also recorded 10 tackles for loss, 4 sacks, 2 interceptions, 4 passes defensed, 2 forced fumbles and 2 fumble recoveries. He had 13 tackles against Texas A&M University. He made 15 tackles against Louisiana State University.[1]

Lawrence was signed by the Dallas Cowboys as an undrafted free agent after the 2013 NFL draft.[2] On September 1, he was signed to the practice squad.[3] After releasing safety Will Allen, the team promoted him to the active roster on October 11, in order to play special teams against the Washington Redskins.[4] He finished tied for second on the team with 12 special teams tackles after only playing in 11 games. Injuries in the linebacker corps, forced him to play defensive snaps as a backup weakside linebacker during the last 3 games of the season.

In 2014, he registered 4 special teams tackles (tied for ninth on the team), 11 defensive tackles and a sack.[5] He was waived injured on July 28, 2015.[6]

Lawrence married Shelby Farmer in April 2016. His brother Addison was an offensive lineman at Mississippi State before being waived by the Baltimore Ravens in 2012.[7]

• Mississippi State Bulldogs bio