UCF's Malachi Lawrence has begun preparations for his rookie pro campaign in Dallas, after the Cowboys selected the defensive end with the 23rd overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
During a media availability this month at Dallas' rookie minicamp, Lawrence was asked when he realized playing in the NFL was within his reach. Lawrence was quick to note his breakthrough 2023 campaign in Orlando in his answer. As a redshirt sophomore that season, Lawrence posted seven sacks with 10.5 tackles for loss despite not being a primary starter.
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"I was kind of like a DPR role coming off the bench, but I was, I had like seven and a half sacks that year on like 180 pass rush reps. So, like just kind of going back to the end of the year, just like reflecting, I was like, I'm going to have something to me," Lawrence said of that season.
Lawrence was also quick to note his position coaches over the years, of which he had several, gave him plenty of positive reinforcement as he continued in his development.
"They were just telling me like, you got this. It's just I have to believe in myself, which it came at the end of the year."
Lawrence, a native of Louisville, Kentucky who spent all five of his college seasons with the Knights, played in 39 games for UCF with 22 starts. He finished his time in Orlando with 72 total tackles, 28 tackles for loss, 20 sacks, three forced fumbles, a fumble recovery, and five pass breakups. In 2025, Lawrence led the team in sacks with 7. Lawrence and Nyjalik Kelly tied for the team lead with Lewis Carter in forced fumbles with two this past season. Lawrence was an All-Big 12 First Team selection and was an honorable mention for Big 12 Defensive Lineman of the Year in 2025.
The Cowboys will open the 2026 regular season on Sunday, September 13 on the road against the New York Giants.
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