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Javon Lawrence patiently waited for an opportunity to play Division I football. He’d yet to receive an offer until March 3, 2024. That’s when a Syracuse assistant reached out to Lawrence, extending an offer.

Lawrence didn’t let it go to waste. He committed to the Orange three weeks later on March 25. Since committing to SU, Lawrence has shown immense growth, North Rockland head coach James Hickey said.

“Once this scholarship opportunity came in from coach Fran Brown, it just ignited a fire under him,” Hickey said. “…I’m super excited for him and his future, because he’s taken leaps and bounds in the last couple several months alone.”

Lawrence, a class of 2025 Syracuse football commit, is the No. 8 overall player in New York, according to 247sports. The 6-foot-2, 170-pound cornerback shined as a lockdown defender for North Rockland (New York). Though he’s also made a name for himself in track and field as a sprinter – Lawrence holds several school records across multiple events.

Since becoming a consistent starter as a freshman, Lawrence has been a standout in North Rockland’s secondary. As a junior, he recorded 30 tackles and deflected four passes across 10 games with the Red Raiders.

Despite his performances on the field, Lawrence was an under–the-radar recruit. During the offseason, he turned his focus to the indoor track season. He didn’t release his game tape on social media until January.

“I didn’t really focus on creating (game tape) too much since I was so locked in on track,” Lawrence said.

Syracuse’s offer came a couple of months later. Throughout SU’s pursuit of Lawrence, he focused on building stronger relationships with the coaching staff. When asked what led to his commitment to Syracuse, his answer was simple — Brown.

Lawrence finally met SU’s head coach during his official visit on June 21. He met with players and other members of the staff, but Lawrence’s conversation with Brown was the highlight.

“When I went up there he told me a lot and spoke to me as if I was already a part of the team,” Lawrence said.

Hickey echoed Lawrence’s praise for Brown. He thinks that under the former Georgia secondary coach, Lawrence will polish his skills and compete right away.

Prior to his commitment to Syracuse, Lawrence was attempting to get recruited for track and field as well, but no track coaches reached out to him. Despite having a spot on the football team, Lawrence hasn’t turned down the possibility of also running track at SU.

“I really do want to have the opportunity to do both at the next level,” Lawrence said

Lawrence’s talent on the track is undeniable. He holds all-time records for the 100-meter (10.76 seconds), 200-meter (21.85) , and 4×100 relay (41.50) races at North Rockland. Additionally, he was part of a relay team that placed first in the 4×200 (1:28.95) race at the 2024 Nike Indoor Nationals.

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Both Lawrence and his high school track coach Orlando Rivera agree that football and track work hand-in-hand to better athletes in both sports. Lawrence said he’s always been fast, but since starting to run track in ninth grade, he’s seen a drastic speed improvement. Rivera echoed Lawrence’s sentiment, saying that his speed helped him get recruited to SU.

“I believe that one of the major reasons he was recruited to Syracuse was because of his track acumen,” Rivera said. “…A lot of what he’s taken from track and field has and will continue to carry over for the sport of football.”

In addition to playing two sports, Lawrence has taken on two positions for this upcoming season. His primary role has been cornerback, but he’ll also line up at receiver this season. On defense, Lawrence likes the intensity of being matched up one-on-one against receivers, and now, he’ll try to break down cornerbacks with his route-running.

Hickey feels Lawrence getting a different perspective on offense will in turn improve his defensive instincts. He said Lawrence will get a better idea of how receivers run their routes, improving his defensive capabilities. Rivera said Lawrence boasts the same fearlessness when he steps on the track for a meet as he does on the gridiron.

With one more year of high school, Lawrence wants to take full advantage to develop. After seeing practices at Syracuse, he said he still has a long way to go. But Lawrence trusts his development to become a contributor for the Orange.

“I’ve been working out in the gym and on the field, trying to get better and close in to be the better version of myself,” he says.

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Published on August 27, 2024 at 11:19 pm

Contact Vivian: vpcollins06@gmail.com