New Mexico State DT Matt Lawson: Reliable interior defender who steadied the Aggies in 2024
Lawson was a steady, high-availability presence for New Mexico State in 2024, appearing in all 12 games with 10 starts and finishing with 30 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, and two pass breakups.[4] He brings a useful blend of experience, leverage, and disruptive interior play; earlier stops at Fresno State and Northwestern show he can adapt to different systems, and his 2023 injury-shortened season makes his 2024 return-to-form a notable positive.[4][7] He fits best as a dependable rotational-to-starting defensive tackle who can anchor against the run and create modest backfield disruption rather than as a pure pass-rush creator.[4][7]
