By Will Vandervort.

When Vic Beasley announced he was coming back to Clemson for his senior year in January of 2014, fellow defensive end Shaq Lawson had mixed feelings.

On one hand, he was excited to have Beasley back because it meant the defense was going to be that much stronger with him on the defensive line causing havoc for opposing quarterbacks. On the other, though, he was a little disappointed because he was hoping he would finally get his opportunity to start after backing Beasley up for the entire 2013 season.

“I had to wait for my time to get here,” Lawson said. “When Vic decided he was going to come back, I had to be patient.”

But that was easier said than done.

Lawson was a little down at first as he struggled with the idea of having to be a backup for a second straight season. He admitted though that his time at Hardgrave Military Academy in 2012 helped him stay disciplined and patient.

Instead, “I prepared as if I was the starter,” he said.

And when he got in there, Lawson played like a starter. The junior came on strong as he led all Clemson defensive ends with 44 tackles, including 11 tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks.

In his two seasons as a backup, Lawson recorded 79 tackles and 21 tackles for loss, including 7.5 sacks. Those are numbers that are better than most starters around the country.

“Shaq has taken over as a leader. He is working hard. I think he will have a great year,” Clemson defensive tackle D.J. Reader said.

Lawson has proven that to his teammates by trimming his weight from 280 pounds to 270 before the start of spring practice. He says his body fat has gone from 20 to 17 percent, and he is not done yet. Not only is working out harder and is getting stronger, but he has also changed his eating habits.

“That is what I focused on the most,” he said. “I still feel as strong as always, but I had a little body fat so I had to change that up a little bit.”

On the football field, Lawson is focusing on becoming a better pass rusher so he can affect the quarterback even more than he has in the past. He says he has changed his game up a little bit by paying closer attention to what his opponent is doing.

“I have three great moves I can use at any time. It depends on what the tackle will give me,” Lawson said. “I can get off the ball much faster and I can recognize pass a lot quicker than I used to.”

Getting to the quarterback was Beasley’s specialty and he did it better than anyone else in Clemson history. Beasley totaled 33 sacks in his career, including 25 the last two seasons.

“There is pressure on me, but I have to come in everyday and work hard. I have to prepare like I did last year when I prepared as if I was the starter,” Lawson said.

“I don’t want to be compared to Vic. He was a great player, but I just want to be me,” he continued. “I want people to know me for my name – Shaq Lawson. Now, I’m going to make the most of my opportunity.”