Malachi Lawrence
Dallas Cowboys
Position Defensive end
Roster status Unsigned draft pick
Personal information
Born (2003-07-21) July 21, 2003 (age 22)
Listed height 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
Listed weight 253 lb (115 kg)
Career information
High school DuPont Manual (Louisville, Kentucky)
College
  • UCF (2021–2025)
NFL draft 2026: 1st round, 23rd overall
Career history
  • Dallas Cowboys (2026−present)
Awards and highlights
  • First-team All-Big 12 (2025)
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Malachi Lawrence (born July 21, 2003) is an American professional football defensive end for the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the UCF Knights and was selected by the Cowboys in the first round of the 2026 NFL draft.

Early life

Lawrence attended duPont Manual High School in Louisville, Kentucky, where he played linebacker and tight end. He committed to the University of Central Florida to play college football in December 2020, originally under head coach Josh Heupel.[1]

College career

Lawrence played at UCF from 2021 to 2025.[2] Over his first two years he played in three games and had two tackles and 0.5 sacks. As a redshirt sophomore in 2023, he played in all 13 games and had 27 tackles and 7.5 sacks.[3] As a junior in 2024, he started 10 of 11 games and recorded 15 tackles and five sacks.[4][5] As a senior in 2025 Lawrence started all 12 games, while recording 28 tackles and seven sacks.[6] Lawrence was named a first-team All-Big 12[7]

Professional career

Pre-draft measurables
Height Weight Arm length Hand span Wingspan 40-yard dash 10-yard split 20-yard split Vertical jump Broad jump
6 ft 4+38 in
(1.94 m)
253 lb
(115 kg)
33+58 in
(0.85 m)
9+14 in
(0.23 m)
6 ft 9+58 in
(2.07 m)
4.52 s 1.59 s 2.64 s 40.0 in
(1.02 m)
10 ft 10 in
(3.30 m)
All values from NFL Combine[8][9]

Lawrence was selected in the first round by the Dallas Cowboys with the 23rd pick of the 2026 NFL draft.[10]

References

  1. ^ Beede, Jason (December 13, 2020). "UCF lands commitment from top defensive end target". 247Sports. Retrieved April 24, 2026.
  2. ^ Teets, Samuel. "Chiefs scouting report: UCF Knights DE Malachi Lawrence". Chiefs Wire.
  3. ^ Boyle, Chris. "UCF football superlatives: Which players earned offensive, defensive MVP accolades?". Daytona Beach News-Journal Online.
  4. ^ Boyle, Chris. "For veteran UCF Knights football defensive line, violence is encouraged". Daytona Beach News-Journal Online.
  5. ^ "UCF Defensive-Stopper Returns After Limited Spring". UCF Knights On SI. August 1, 2025.
  6. ^ Landis, Ken. "2025 Football Season Recap". UCF Knights.
  7. ^ Boyle, Chris. "UCF football pass-rusher Malachi Lawrence named to All-Big 12 1st team". Daytona Beach News-Journal Online.
  8. ^ "Malachi Lawrence Draft and Combine Prospect Profile". NFL.com. Retrieved April 4, 2026.
  9. ^ "Malachi Lawrence College Football Profile". DraftScout.com. Retrieved April 4, 2026.
  10. ^ Walker, Patrik (April 23, 2026). "Malachi Lawrence drafted by Cowboys in 2026 first round". dallascowboys.com. Dallas Cowboys.