Malachi Lawrence was UCF's breakout star of 2023.
After two years in the program (a redshirt in 2021 and minimal playing time in 2022), the defensive end showed up in a big way during the Knights' inaugural Big 12 season. Lawrence finished second on the team with 7.5 sacks and 10.5 tackles for loss, earning All-Big 12 Honorable Mention status.
With Tre'Mon Morris-Brash moving on, Lawrence is now viewed as UCF's top pass-rushing threat.
We caught up with him following a recent spring practice.
Lawrence said he took a lot of "mental reps" his first two years in the program that helped prepare him for breakout.
Looking back on last season, his favorite moment was his sack of Dillon Gabriel at Oklahoma. He loved playing in an environment like that and how quiet the stadium got afterward. "That was pretty cool."
Big 12 offensive tackles are much bigger than the AAC, though they can prepare for it by going up in practice against Paul Rubelt.
DC Ted Roof wants the DEs to line up in a three-point stance instead of standing up, so that's a point of emphasis this spring.
Lawrence says he wants to improve as a leader, which is important with Josh Celiscar no longer in the room.
DC Ted Roof is a "funny guy." He's serious about business though. He's instilled a standard. "I like him. Pretty good coach."
Asked about not really playing his first two years, Lawrence says he did see that his opportunity would eventually come. Coach Kenny Ingram was always encouraging him. He trusted the process to keep working.
Lawrence said last season felt "amazing" knowing he was finally contributing and helping the team on the field.
A big focus is stopping the run. That comes with physicality and doing your job.
Lawrence is looking to add 10 pounds of muscle. He's 250 right now, wants to reach 260.
He thought the AAC was "nice" but the Big 12 was a different level of atmosphere with more fans. Big 12 offensive linemen are much bigger, like he said. He brought up Kansas.
The defensive transfers will definitely help. LB Ethan Barr is providing leadership as the mike.
Aside from Lawrence, the DE rotation will consist mostly of younger players or newcomers. He mentioned Kaven Call, Isaiah Nixon, Daylan Dotson (UT-Martin transfer) and Zavier Carter (UNLV transfer) as the players to watch.
The goal this season is Big 12 Championship. Win all the games. With the new playoff system, they have a path to the National Championship.
Lawrence said he grew up playing RB and CB until ninth grade, then they moved him to OLB and DL as a sophomore.
He recruiting process was different because of COVID. He only played five games as a senior and they weren't allowed to make in-person visits. He was recruiting by the previous UCF staff.
He likes to play video games. He likes to play Warzone and Modern Warfare in the Call of Duty franchise, also NBA 2K and Madden. Lee Hunter, Matthew Alexander and Daylan Dotson. Matt Alexander is probably the best - he beats him every time.
