Dexter Lawrence gives Clemson rare mix of size and speed

What’s Clemson getting in Dexter Lawrence, the Wake Forest High (N.C.) star defensive tackle who is ranked the nation’s No. 2 high school football player according to Rivals.com?

Size and speed.

“Dexter’s size is uncanny for a high school athlete,” Wake Forest coach Reggie Lucas said. “He’s 6-5, 335 pounds. His ability comes with that. He’s running right at a 5.0 40. His quickness is second to none with guys his size. I think his speed and athletic ability is phenomenal for a kid his size. I think that makes him special.”

Lawrence finished his senior season with 91 tackles and a conference-leading 13 sacks (112 yards lost) this year. He led the Cougars with 21 tackles for loss.

Lawrence chose Clemson over offers from N.C. State, North Carolina, Alabama, Southern Cal, Florida and Ohio State, among others.

Lawrence said he selected Clemson for the football program and to get a good education. He said he plans to study engineering.

Clemson’s status as ACC champions, on top of being unbeaten and ranked No. 1, had little to do with Lawrence’s choice, he said.

“The big thing was how I was going to fit in,” he said, “what was the plan there for me ...”

“Clemson, it was a great atmosphere. The fan base was good. The coaches really treated me well, and the players were pretty cool, too.”

He is the highest-ranked player from North Carolina since 2012, when Rivals.com ranked offensive lineman D.J. Humphries of Charlotte’s Mallard Creek High at No. 2. Humphries went to Florida and was a first-round draft pick of the Arizona Cardinals.

Lawrence finished his last high school classes this past Friday in order to leave for college early. He will enroll at Clemson in January.

Sixteen players were drafted into the NFL out of Clemson last year, according to ESPN.com. The 13-0 Tigers will play No. 4 Oklahoma in the Orange Bowl in Miami on New Year’s Eve.

Lawrence’s defensive line coach Blake Brooks said the five-star recruit can be an impact player.

“He wants to be a great football player, and he’s determined to do that,” Brook said about Lawrence. “He has it – determination, discipline. Dexter is determined to be the best player there is.”