Dec. 12, 2016
By Charles Goldberg
AuburnTigers.com
Carl Lawson leads Auburn in sacks and tackles for a loss, and his leadership is a plus, too.
The Auburn defensive end was rewarded for all that Monday when he was named a first team All-American by the Football Writers Association of America.
Two other Auburn players also won All-American honors Monday. Kicker Daniel Carlson, who was a finalist for the Lou Groza Award, earned second-team honors on the Football Writers and Associated Press All-American teams. Defensive lineman Montravius Adams won second-team honors on the AP team.
Lawson's position coach, Rodney Garner, said his player did things the right way in his career.
"He's unselfish, and he's a young man who has given a lot to Auburn with his work ethic, his character and how he's gone about his everyday life," Garner said. "It's good to be able to see him reap the fruits of his labor."
Lawson put the injuries that cost him all the 2014 season and half of the 2015 season behind him this year. He leads Auburn with 12½ tackles for a loss and nine sacks in a defensive line that is one of the tops in college football. That defensive line will be in the spotlight again when Auburn plays Oklahoma in the Sugar Bowl on Jan. 2.
"To see a young man who has worked so hard to stay healthy and be able to have the success is rewarding," Garner said. "Those are the things we saw of him as a freshman, but he wasn't able to realize his potential because of injuries."
Charles Goldberg is a Senior Writer at AuburnTigers.com. Follow him on Twitter: Follow @AUGoldMine