The 50 most important college players in Texas in 2016 — No. 25: SMU's Justin Lawler

[caption id="attachment_23576" align="alignright" width="300"]IMG_5125 Photo by Mike Williamson[/caption] The importance of a player is not always defined by their skill. The most important player on a team is not always the best player on a team. This list is designed to breakdown the 50 most important players in Texas college football for the 2016 season. It is not a ranking of the 50 best college football players in the state. Importance can be defined by position, need, skill or leadership. We’ll count down the list through the summer, all the way to No. 1.Previously — 26: UNT RB Jeffrey Wilson // 27: SFA DE John Franklin // 28: Texas QB Shane Buechele // 29: Texas Tech RB Justin Stockton // 30: Baylor LB Taylor Young //  31: TCU RB Shaun Nixon // 32: Texas A&M WR Christian Kirk // 33: Houston WR Chance Allen // 34: UTSA QB Jared Johnson // 35: ACU LB Sam Denmark // 36: Houston Baptist RB Terrance Peters // 37: Rice DE Graysen Schantz // 38: UTEP DE Alvin Jones // 39: SMU RB Xavier Jones // 40: Sam Houston RB Corey Avery // 41: Prairie View A&M DE DeVohn Reed // 42: Texas State WR Demun Mercer // 43: UTEP S Devin Cockrell // 44: UNT DT Bryce English // 45: Texas OL Connor Williams // 46: Texas Tech DT Breiden Fehoko // 47: Houston DT B.J. Singleton // 48: Texas A&M DT Daylon Mack // 49: TCU S Denzel Johnson  // 50: Baylor S Chance WazNo. 25 – SMU defensive end Justin LawlerThe History A two-star prospect out of Pottsboro High School, defensive end Justin Lawler led SMU in tackles as a sophomore in 2015. He started all 12 games under first-year head coach Chad Morris, recording 64 tackles, five sacks, two quarterback hurries and a forced fumble. Nine of his tackles came behind the line of scrimmage. His career high in sacks (2) came against Houston. After a redshirt season in 2013, Lawler played in all 12 games of his redshirt freshman season in 2014. He finished the season with 23 tackles. Lawler was utilized on offense in goal-line sets, catching a touchdown and a two-point conversion in 2014. At Pottsboro, Lawler was a two-time district MVP and a first-team Class 2A All-State section. The Associated Press named him the Class 2A Defensive MVP after his senior season. He recorded 124 tackles, blocked two punts, 13 sacks and 28 tackles for loss. He added 44 catches for 719 yards and 11 touchdowns as a tight end. The Skillset Lawler’s athleticism makes him a force. His experience on the offensive side of the ball pays dividends as a pass rusher. Lawler has a high football IQ and understands what an offense is attempting to do with different blocking schemes and alignment. There are numerous defensive ends in Texas who can get after a quarterback. Few defensive ends in this state can blend the rushing ability with a strong base against the run. The fact Lawler led the team in tackles as a sophomore shows he is a complete three-down defensive end. At 6-foot-4, 251 pounds, Lawler is long enough to bother offensive tackles and too big for tight ends and running backs to handle on third down. Lawler is one of those rare defensive ends who command double teams on passing and rushing downs. The Impact Stats lie, but production rarely does. Lawler was productive in high school and has continued to be so at the college level. He’s already approaching 100 total tackles heading into his junior campaign. Now an upperclassman with two years of experience behind him, Lawler’s impact should grow on the field. He’s great against the run and improving his technique as a pass rusher. Lawler has also never missed an entire game due to injury, which is a skill in itself for linemen. Morris is undergoing a rebuild at SMU and one of the defensive end spots is locked up for the next two seasons.

——