Malachi Lawrence hasn’t put a sack on the board yet, but the Dallas Cowboys rookie is already making his presence felt.
Through three weeks, the former UCF EDGE has totaled nine tackles and has been far more disruptive than the raw numbers suggest. His 24.1% pass rush win rate leads all rookies by a wide margin, a strong sign that he’s turning pressure into problems for opposing quarterbacks even if the sack column is still empty.
That ability to bother the pocket was part of what made Lawrence such an intriguing prospect coming out of UCF. In college, he showed he could win in different ways, using a quick first step to get around the edge and a swim move to work back inside. That same versatility has carried over to the NFL, where he’s been able to work through traffic and get into the backfield with a mix of moves rather than relying on one clean path.
For Dallas, that matters. The Cowboys are trying to lift a defense that needs to be better if the team is going to help its explosive offense. Lawrence and fellow first-round pick Caleb Downs have both fit that idea early on.
Lawrence’s four years at UCF were a big part of why Dallas took him as a draft riser, and Stephen Jones made it clear the Cowboys valued that kind of loyalty. Jones, the Cowboys co-owner, executive vice president, CEO, and director of player personnel, said, "The character was just outstanding.
I really look up to these men who stay with the schools who gave them their first opportunity," Jones said. "He had opportunities probably to take more money and go to a bigger school, but he felt like UCF had given him the opportunity and he wanted to give back."
Lawrence, for his part, sees his path as proof of what can happen at UCF. "It's a standard now to be set I'd say," Lawrence said. "You can go to UCF and be a first round pick."
That message is landing in Orlando, too. UCF’s defensive line has been among the FBS leaders in pressures, and the players behind Lawrence and Nyjalik Kelly on the depth chart last season are now getting more opportunities and making a bigger jump in their roles.
Lockett and Edwards also had the benefit of spending last year alongside Lawrence, watching how he prepares and works. That example has given them something concrete to build from.
Even with the Texans offensive line having been solid so far, it has not been impenetrable. And with the Cowboys chasing Philadelphia in the NFC East, Lawrence looks like he’s only going to keep mattering more as the season goes on.
In Other News...
UCF Heads To Oklahoma State With One Huge Availability Question
Scott Frost spent part of the week working through another injury-depleted stretch as UCF prepares for a road game at No. 18 Oklahoma State, with the Knights trying to regroup after a loss to Houston. The roster has already taken hits, and the situation has only added to the challenge of heading into a difficult environment while carrying an 11-game road losing streak.
One of the biggest questions centers on the line, where Jacob Maiava left the Houston game on a cart and remains a key uncertainty for the trip. With Alonza Barnett III and Lewis Carter also expected to miss the game, UCF is being forced to patch together answers quickly, even as the program tries to keep its focus on the next chance to break through. [Read more 🡒]
Baylor Just Sent A Strong Message About What This Team Can Be
Baylors decisive win over Arizona State offered another look at the kind of league race UCF is walking into next season, and it came alongside a broader snapshot of how several Knights opponents are shaping up. TCU pushed BYU in a close loss, while Pittsburgh handled Virginia Tech in a game that turned much trickier after its starting quarterback went down. For UCF, those results matter because the schedule will not be short on teams carrying momentum, depth, or both.
BYUs climb has been especially notable as the Cougars keep stacking wins and drawing national attention ahead of a trip to the Bounce House on Oct. 24. Baylor, meanwhile, looked every bit like a team capable of making life difficult in the Big 12 after the way it controlled Arizona State. For UCF, the takeaway is simple: the road ahead is going to demand clean play, because several of these opponents are already showing they can win in different ways. [Read more 🡒]
Former UCF Star RJ Harvey Is Becoming A Problem For NFL Defenses
Former UCF standout RJ Harvey has wasted little time making his presence felt in Denver. The rookie has quickly become a key part of the Broncos offense, showing a versatility that goes beyond the backfield and giving Sean Payton another weapon to feature. His ability to slip away from defenders and find space in the passing game has turned heads, especially after a 10-catch outing against the San Francisco 49ers.
Harveys impact has carried into high-leverage moments, too, including a late drive that put Denver in position to finish off the Kansas City Chiefs. Payton and Bo Nix have both pointed to his elusiveness and football IQ as reasons he keeps earning more responsibility, and the Broncos now have to decide how much more they can load onto his plate. For UCF fans, it is the kind of pro breakout that feels familiar and a little dangerous for opposing defenses. [Read more 🡒]