Loganville (Ga.) Grayson edge rusher Lawrence Brown is officially headed to Raleigh. After spending nearly six months committed to North Carolina, the 6-foot-3, 200-pound standout flipped to NC State and signed with the Wolfpack on Wednesday - a significant pickup for Dave Doeren’s defense.
Brown’s relationship with NC State goes back to the summer, when he took an official visit to campus on June 6. That trip clearly left an impression.
“NC State is a great school,” Brown said during the offseason. “I was able to learn new things about them, and they definitely have a good staff with Coach Doeren and Coach D.J.
Eliot as the defensive coordinator. They’re going to do a great job this season, and they were one of my top five schools.”
What stood out to Brown wasn’t just the facilities or the atmosphere - it was the culture and the defensive scheme. He had detailed conversations with Eliot about how he’d be used, and those conversations helped tilt the scales.
“Talking with Coach Eliot and where he’d put me was great… That was my favorite,” Brown said. “Also, speaking with Coach Doeren.”
Eliot’s experience - nearly three decades in the coaching ranks - was a big draw for Brown. He sees a coach who not only knows how to win but knows how to develop talent.
“He’s a guy who knows how to win and he’s going to put his players in position to be successful,” Brown said earlier this year. “He’s also proven he can develop guys, and that’s a big piece.”
Brown’s versatility is a key part of what makes him such an intriguing prospect for NC State’s defense. He’s capable of lining up in multiple spots, whether it’s coming off the edge as a pass rusher or dropping into coverage. That kind of flexibility fits right into what the Wolfpack are building defensively.
“I can play all around the ball - I can rush the passer and I can also cover,” Brown said. “I feel like in their defense it’s a really demanding position and something they’re trying to move to.”
Another key figure in Brown’s recruitment was assistant defensive line coach Elisha Shaw, who served as his lead recruiter. Brown drew a personal connection to Shaw, comparing him to his own high school position coach at Grayson.
“Coach Elisha Shaw reminds me of my defensive coach at Grayson,” Brown said. “He has a lot of energy and you can tell he’s very passionate about the game.
And when I visited, I could tell the entire coaching staff really cares about their players. That’s definitely a big factor for me in recruiting.”
That energy and passion resonated with Brown, who prides himself on being an ultra-competitive, high-motor player - something that’s been part of his DNA at Grayson, where the Rams just came off a state championship season.
“He loves the game and he’s so passionate about it,” Brown said of Shaw. “Not only does he want people around him to be successful, but even a kid like me who’s really interested in the program.
He likes that I’m ultra-competitive - my hunger and drive. We’re always competitive, have a winning nature and bring energy.”
Brown missed his senior season due to injury, but his junior year tape still tells a strong story. He racked up 30 tackles, including 12 for loss and six sacks, playing a key role in Grayson’s title run. That kind of production, combined with his versatility and motor, makes him a high-upside addition to NC State’s front seven.
For the Wolfpack, this isn’t just a late flip - it’s a strategic win. Brown brings championship pedigree, a relentless edge, and a skill set that fits right into what NC State wants to do defensively. If he bounces back strong from injury, he could be a difference-maker in Raleigh for years to come.