SC native and Dallas Cowboys standout named to 1st Pro Bowl

Jadeveon Clowney isn’t the only South Carolina native going to the Pro Bowl this season because of his prowess on defense.

DeMarcus Lawrence earned his first Pro Bowl selection on Tuesday night, being named a starter on the NFC team. The Dallas Cowboys defensive end was born in Aiken and went to Silver Bluff High School.

Lawrence ranks third in the NFL with a career-high 13.5 sacks, the most for a Cowboys player since DeMarcus Ware had 19.5 in 2011. Lawrence also has 56 tackles, 45 quarterback pressures, four forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries this season.

“It will be great, just for the recognition,” Lawrence said before the announcement to star-telegram.com. “Knowing that the fans and coaches and players also see what I’ve been going through and seeing all the plays I’ve been making on the field.”

This is Lawrence’s fourth season in the NFL after playing college football at Boise State. After emerging at the end of his rookie season, Lawrence has been limited the past two years by a suspension and back surgeries the past two offseasons.

But this year has been a break through for Lawrence, who has been at the top of the league in sacks for much of the season.

Clowney is a Rock Hill native who will be returning for his second Pro Bowl appearance.

On the season, the former South Carolina Gamecocks star has a career-best nine sacks, 50 tackles, 20 for a loss (second-best in the NFL), 20 quarterback hits and two forced fumbles playing defensive end/linebacker for the Houston Texans.

This story was originally published December 19, 2017 at 9:31 PM with the headline "SC native and Dallas Cowboys standout named to 1st Pro Bowl."