DeMarcus Lawrence

DeMarcus Lawrence's Biography

DeMarcus Lawrence is a highly regarded professional American football player, known for his time playing defensive end for the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League (NFL). Born in 1992, DeMarcus was groomed for his career in football early on at Silver Bluff High School in South Carolina. After showcasing his skills in tight end, offensive tackle, and defensive tackle positions during his senior year, he received North-South All-Star honors for an impressive tally of 97 tackles and three sacks.

Following high school, DeMarcus went on to play at Butler Community College where he was redshirted in 2010. In his 2011 season as a redshirt freshman, he quickly demonstrated his tenacity on the field—collecting 69 tackles, 21 tackles for loss, and 12 sacks—outstanding stats which put him at the forefront of his team for tackles and sacks. His prowess earned him All-Jayhawk Conference and NJCAA All-America honors.

After transferring to Boise State University for the 2012 season, DeMarcus continued his upward trajectory. He started in all 11 games during his sophomore year and excelled on the field with stats like 48 tackles, four forced fumbles, one interception, and one blocked kick. This successfully lead his team with 13.5 tackles for loss and 9.5 sacks.

In 2014, DeMarcus decided to declare for the NFL Draft. The Dallas Cowboys subsequently selected him in the second round. Despite an unpromising start—fracturing his foot in training camp and subsequently being inactive until Week 9—DeMarcus didn’t let his early injuries deter him and slowly began to make his mark on the team.

DeMarcus played a vital role in the Wild Card Round in 2015 against the Detroit Lions, contributing significantly to the Cowboys’ victory. Although Cowboys had acquired defensive end Greg Hardy, it was DeMarcus who began to shine more from his left defensive end position. His first career start was in the season opener against the New York Giants, where he impressively ended the season with a streak of seven games with at least one sack.

2016 proved to be a somewhat troubled year for DeMarcus. He was suspended for four games for amphetamine use, and then a serious back injury saw him miss the last three games. Nevertheless, he made a mark in the games he did participate in, including one against the Pittsburgh Steelers where he made five quarterback pressures.

A shining moment in DeMarcus’s career came during the 2017 season when he returned to his natural left side position. He had a breakout season leading the league with 6.5 sacks and winning the NFC Defensive Player of the Week, and later NFC Defensive Player of the Month for September. This was also the year in which he would be named to his first Pro Bowl.

In 2018, despite being diagnosed with a torn labrum in his shoulder, DeMarcus continued to dominate on the field leading the team in most categories and being named to his second straight Pro Bowl. 2019 saw DeMarcus sign a five-year, $105 million contract with the Cowboys, with $65 million guaranteed, making him the highest-paid defensive end in the NFL.

In 2021, DeMarcus faced a significant setback—he was put on injured reserve following a broken foot—but he made a triumphant return to the field by the year’s end and, in 2022, agreed to a three-year, $40 million contract extension with the Cowboys. This made him the first defensive end to have his contract guaranteed for seven straight seasons.

Continuing to rise to prominence, Lawrence was named as a Pro Bowler for his performance in the 2022 season and ranked 99th by his fellow players on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2023. The 2023 season saw Lawrence continue his reign of dominance on the field, once again being selected as a Pro Bowl player.

DeMarcus Lawrence’s journey from high school star to NFL elite has seen him face trials and setbacks, yet he has always emerged stronger. His story is not just one of talent and determination but also resilience, setting a powerful example for aspiring athletes. His impact on the Dallas Cowboys and American football as a whole is significant and is certain to be remembered for many years.