Lawrence Wilson

Lawrence Jamel Wilson (born November 16, 1987) is a former American football linebacker. He finished his collegiate career second in tackles all-time for the Huskies. In both his junior and senior seasons, he led the Big East in tackles and was selected to the All-Big East First Team. He finished his collegiate career second in tackles all-time at UConn.[2] Lawrence was drafted in the sixth round of the 2011 NFL Draft at pick number 166 by the Carolina Panthers.

For other people with similar names, see Lawrence Wilson (disambiguation).
Lawrence Wilson
Position:Linebacker
Personal information
Born: (1987-11-16) November 16, 1987
Santa Maria, California
Height:6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Weight:229 lb (104 kg)
Career information
College:Connecticut
NFL Draft:2011 / Round: 6 / Pick: 166
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career highlights and awards
  • 2x All-Big East First Team (2009, 2010)
  • Second team Freshman All-American (2007)[1]

He has also been a member of the Tennessee Titans, New Orleans Saints, Chicago Bears, Toronto Argonauts and the St. Louis Rams.

Early career

Despite playing high school football in Tuscaloosa, AL at Paul W. Bryant High School, Wilson received only one scholarship offer; from the University of Connecticut, partially because his father lived in the state.[2] He committed to play football for the Huskies on January 16, 2006.[3]

College career

After red shirting during his freshman season at Connecticut, Wilson began his playing career as the starting weakside linebacker in 2007, due to an injury to incumbent starter, Ryan Henegan. He would start all 13 games and set a freshman UConn record with 113 tackles.[1] His sophomore season was highlighted by a game winning interception returned for a touchdown against Louisville. He would earn Big East Defensive Player of the Week honors for his performance in that game.
Wilson led the Big East in tackles and was named to the All-Big East First Team during both his junior and senior seasons. He scored his third career touchdown off of a tipped pass against South Florida. It was the only touchdown the Huskies scored in the victory, and helped them clinch their first trip to a BCS bowl game.

Professional career

After his senior season, Wilson was invited to play in the Senior Bowl where he was fourth on the north team with six tackles. In preparation for the 2011 NFL Draft, Wilson was also invited to the NFL Scouting Combine.

Wilson was drafted by the Carolina Panthers in the 6th round (166th overall).[4]

On September 5, 2011, he was signed to the Panthers' practice squad.

On November 8, 2011, after being cited for speeding and marijuana possession, the Carolina Panthers released Wilson from the practice squad and team.[5]

Lawrence would eventually end up with the Tennessee Titans before being cut May 1, 2012. Two weeks later, he was signed to the New Orleans Saints. By July, the NFL suspended Wilson one game and fined him an additional game check for violating the league's substance abuse policy attributing to the November 2011 incident. On August 31, 2012, the Saints released Wilson during final cuts.

On January 10, 2013, Wilson was signed by the Chicago Bears.[6] He was waived on August 25.[7]

On October 9, 2013, Wilson was signed by the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League to a practice roster agreement. He was released by the Argonauts on October 12, 2013.

On November 19, 2013, the Chicago Bears signed Wilson again, this time to the practice squad.[8] Wilson was cut by the Bears on June 5, 2014.

On July 22, 2014, Wilson was signed by the St. Louis Rams. He was waived during final cuts on August 30. 2014.

Personal life

On November 2, 2011, Wilson was stopped by the North Carolina State Highway Patrol on Interstate 85 in Salisbury, North Carolina for speeding. During the stop, the officer cited Wilson on charges of marijuana possession.[9]

References
  1. "Lawrence Wilson Bio". UConnHuskies.com.
  2. Ketchum, Don (December 29, 2010). "UConn linebacker has flourished away from home". Norwich Bulletin. Archived from the original on January 30, 2013. Retrieved February 20, 2011.
  3. "Lawrence Wilson profile". Scout.com. Retrieved February 20, 2011.
  4. "2011 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved February 26, 2019.
  5. http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/7209004/carolina-panthers-release-lawrence-wilson-speeding-marijuana-possession-citation%7Caccessdate=2013-06-10
  6. Biggs, Brad (January 10, 2013). "Toub in demand". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved January 11, 2013.
  7. Mayer, Larry (August 25, 2013). "Bears waive 14 players; roster now stands at 76". Chicago Bears. Archived from the original on March 31, 2017. Retrieved August 25, 2013.
  8. "Bears Waive LS Cain, Sign LB Wilson To Practice Squad". WBBM-TV. November 19, 2013. Retrieved November 20, 2013.
  9. "Panthers sixth round pick cited for marijuana possession". salisburypost.com. Archived from the original on November 4, 2011. Retrieved November 3, 2011.
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