All the physical attributes are those of an elite offensive skill position player. A fluid stride that effortlessly covers yards faster than most, long arms to get to the ball quicker, and a knack for making the spectacular look ordinary.
Bringing those physical capabilities plus an aggressive, offensive-type mindset to the McCallie secondary has made senior safety Carson Lawrence the state’s highest-rated defensive back prospect, according to every major recruiting service.
“When the quarterback drops back, I’m already watching to see where he wants to go, because I look at it as, ‘That’s my ball,’ when it’s in the air,” Lawrence said. “I know I’ll get to play some offense this year, which I’m excited about, but I love playing defense. I like to hit, and I like the mental aspect of trying to outsmart the quarterback and get to the spot he’s throwing to before the receiver does.
“Then it’s just a matter of using my athleticism to make the play.”
The 6-foot-3, 190-pound Lawrence is No. 1 on this year’s Times Free Press Dynamite Dozen list of the area’s top 12 college football recruits. He is the second McCallie player on the list, joining kicker Elliott Arnold, who was No. 7.