Shaq Lawson had to get it off his chest.

That’s why, while he was in Houston for the Lombardi Award ceremony, Lawson told Fox 26 reporter Mark Berman that he was going pro.

“People (had) been asking me the question all year and what I wanted to do. I finally came to my conclusion what I was doing,” Lawson told The Clemson Insider, before the Orange Bowl. “I did that because I just wanted to focus on these last few games and give my all to the team.”

He added, “It got to the point to where it was getting in my head, what I was going to do.”

Lawson hopes he’s a first-round draft pick, just like former Clemson defensive end Vic Beasley was in 2015.

“It’s amazing knowing how he’s overcome adversity, been an All-American here and be a first-round pick for the Falcons,” Lawson said. “It’s crazy. Just grinding with him, knowing how he worked hard for the situation that he’s in right now.”

Beasley isn’t the only member of Clemson’s 2014 defense who’s already in the league. Lawson keeps in regular touch with DeShawn Williams, Stephone Anthony and Grady Jarrett, all of whom are finishing up their first season in the league.

The trio has offered plenty of advice to Lawson, who’s expected to go in the first or second-round of this year’s draft.

“Enjoy the grind. It’s a business, so you’ve got to be ready to play. Anybody can come in there and take your job at any time,” Lawson said.

It wasn’t until a few years ago that Lawson began dreaming of the NFL.

“I was like, I’m still going to play basketball, because that’s in my family. That’s what my dad and uncle did, so I never really thought until I got to Clemson that I would have a chance to do it,” he said.