Former University of Florida wide receiver and two-sport athlete T.J. Lawrence has certainly impressed everyone around the Florida A&M football program with his ability to make big plays.
Lawrence transferred to FAMU as a multi-sport athlete, joining the football and baseball programs.
The 6-1, 196 pound red-shirt sophomore brings speed and explosiveness that will pay immediate dividends to an experienced offensive unit.
“He’s an added addition to a unit that is already strong,” offensive coordinator Lawrence Kershaw said. “The kid can really play.”
Lawrence arrived at FAMU after asking for his release from the University of Florida football program.
He departed from the team after only participating in eight games for the Gators. During his tenure at UF, Lawrence had zero catches and only returned two kickoffs for 69 yards.
However, here at FAMU, head coach Joe Taylor said that he plans on utilizing his talent immediately.
“He’s a great player that you’re going to see more often,” Taylor said. “He’s always looking for extra yardage after the catch. That’s what makes us so excited about him.”
Fellow wideout senior Isaac West said that Lawrence’s presence will strengthen and impact the receiving corps.
“He’s a great player and a great fit for us,” West said. “He just provides more depth to our great receiving corps.”
Coming into this program Lawrence added that he intends on competing for a key role in the offense and on special teams.
“I’m really excited about coming to FAMU and competing with some of my former high school teammates, Lawrence said. “It just feels good to come here and have a fresh start.”
He’ll be reunited with former Kathleen High School teammate red-shirt senior Adrian Smith, who is also a receiver at FAMU.
Coming out of Lakeland’s Kathleen High School, Lawrence was a four-star wide receiver and a first-team-all state performer his senior season. He was also selected as an Under-Armor All-American during his senior campaign.
He selected Florida A&M over Eastern Kentucky, South Carolina, Washington State, South Florida, South Alabama, and other Division I programs.
He made his much-anticipated debut for the Rattlers in the season opener against the University of Miami last Thursday. He led the receiving corps with two receptions for 42 yards.
Lawrence and the Rattlers’ (0-1) will match-up against the Delaware State Hornets (0-1) in their first Mid-Eastern Atlantic Conference contest in Dover, Del., at 6 p.m. Saturday. This will be the second game of a four-game road trip for the Rattlers.