Former UCF edge rusher Malachi Lawrence is preparing for the 2026 NFL Draft and continues to generate strong buzz, including some first-round discussion following an impressive pre-draft process. Lawrence spent all five of his college seasons with UCF, a rarity in today's college football, maximizing every opportunity.
Lawrence did not participate in on-field drills at UCF's Pro Day, but that decision came after a standout performance at the NFL Scouting Combine, where he significantly boosted his stock. As April's NFL Draft approaches, he continues meeting with teams and looking to strengthen his case even further.
Lawrence did not just test well — he also leaves behind one of the more accomplished careers by a defensive lineman in recent UCF history. He earned first-team All-Big 12 honors and received an honorable mention for Big 12 Defensive Lineman of the Year.
(Photo: © Kirby Lee-Imagn Images, USA TODAY Sports)
On the field, Lawrence posted a career-high 28 tackles during the season, including 17 solo stops, which tied a personal best. He also recorded a career-high 11 tackles for loss, seven of which came as sacks.
By the end of his career, Lawrence finished No. 10 on UCF's all-time sacks list with 20. He also forced two fumbles, both career highs, and added three pass breakups. His consistency as a pass rusher stood out as well, as he finished the season as one of just four FBS players to record at least five sacks in each of the past three seasons.
Lawrence leaves UCF not only as one of the program's top edge rushers, but also as one of its most respected leaders in the locker room.
Here's everything Lawrence had to say at UCF's 2026 Pro Day.
On the emotion after watching his UCF teammates at the combine and seeing the draft process unfold:
"Well, I really didn't do anything today, but just out here supporting my brothers. They did really good. Great performances out there from them."
On what it's like seeing first- and second-round projections after spending five years at UCF:
"It's a blessing, honestly. Just seeing all the work that I put in and seeing it actually come to life. So it's definitely been a blessing."
On how much his phone blew up after his strong 40-yard dash at the combine:
"It was pretty busy. Family, friends just texting me telling me how proud they were of me."
On whether he knew he had a fast time going into the combine:
"I had some pretty good times. So then just putting the icing on the bread, basically."
On the feeling of training for the combine and then performing well in Indianapolis:
"It was a great feeling just showing what I can do, my athletic ability basically. Just showing that and proving to the teams like I'm definitely one of those top edges."
On how tough the wait for draft day is now:
"It's pretty tough. Just being patient throughout this process. Got a few visits coming up and stuff like that."
On how long the NFL has been a dream for him:
"I started playing football when I was five. So many, many years now."
On the process from the combine to now:
"Just coming here, working out, getting some workouts in, staying in shape, and then like I said, 30 visits, Zoom calls. It's really been a process."
On teams he's already spoken with and upcoming visits:
"Some teams I've already spoken to like Patriots, Raiders, Jets, Titans. I got like 12 upcoming."
On NFL edge players, he studies (Chandler Jones and Maxx Crosby):
"I like to watch 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. I like Maxx Crosby as well."
On how he handles draft projections and first-/second-round buzz:
"I try to put it to the side because I know don't let my head get too big. Once I get there, that's just the start. I'm probably going to be the worst player on the team as soon as I get there. Just staying away from it so my head doesn't get too big."
On his message to younger players in the transfer portal era about staying at UCF and building a legacy:
"You don't ever have to transfer to think you're going to get more playing time unless you're just not playing at all. Here at UCF it was just a great time going through the grind—from coming from not starting, having captains above you, just learning from them, actually going through the grind and enjoying it, enjoying the process."
On how older players and captains made him better:
"Just competing in practice every day. Practice is where you learn. You learn how you play, what moves you can do and can't do. You just can't go into the game and try a move all of a sudden that you haven't tried in practice. Probably not going to work."
On what he learned about himself as a player during the combine:
"Just run defense, polishing up that. That's really just my major key—just locking in on that."
On his pitch to NFL teams during visits:
"Basically the pitch is I'm a great pass rusher. I have a great motor. Captain. Stuff like that. Just things that I can do off the field and how I can bring those on the field to help the team as well."
On what teams asked him during visits:
"Go-to pass rush moves. Was I a captain? How do I lead? Stuff like that."
On the morals and values instilled in him from a young age:
"Work hard and never take anything for granted. When I was younger, I was running track and I told my mom I wanted to quit. She was like, 'Well, if you quit, you can't play the game anymore.' So it was like I got to choose. She wasn't going to let me quit track, but it was just to show me that if I quit something, something else might get taken away that I won't have the opportunity to do."
On the next group of UCF edge rushers (passing the torch to Sincere Edwards, Isaiah, etc.):
"It's a good group. Sincere got injured last year, but just seeing what he could do in the games that he played, it was really good. He got some sacks in those games too. And just seeing how Isaiah has been developing over these years—just coming in as a freshman, just seeing how he's grown. I'm definitely expecting a big year from him too."
On what kind of player NFL teams will get when they draft him:
"They're going to receive a dog. A great player. Somebody that's going to come in and work from day one. Great motor and just bringing that pass rush ability to your team."
On what he plans to do with his first NFL contract:
"I want to invest it, grow my money."
On his favorite memory from his UCF career:
"Just spending time like locker room memories, hanging with my teammates. Some of them transferred, but no hard feelings. Getting to experience the Gasparilla Bowl win against Florida in 2021, even though I didn't even play. I was just happy for that team and my brothers around me."
On draft day plans and where he's been training:
"I might be back in Louisville, my hometown. I was at Exos in Dallas, Frisco area. They got a great staff over there, strength coach, speed and conditioning coach. It was great."
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