An NFL reunion is happening for this former Clemson standout – once again.

Former Tiger defensive end Shaq Lawson is headed back to Buffalo. The Bills recently announced they have signed Lawson to their practice squad. He worked out for the team this past Monday.

It marks Lawson’s third stint with the organization. He was originally drafted by the Bills in the first round of the 2016 NFL Draft (No. 19 overall pick), spending four years in Buffalo from 2016-19.

Following his rookie contract, Lawson spent the 2020 season with the Miami Dolphins and the 2021 season with the New York Jets before rejoining the Bills from 2022-23.

The 31-year-old Lawson most recently had a stint with the Carolina Panthers. The former All-ACC and All-American edge rusher was signed to the Panthers’ practice squad on Oct. 8, 2024.

An alum of nearby Daniel High School, Lawson played in one game for the Panthers last season, appearing in the team’s Week 7 loss to the Washington Commanders. He was released by the Panthers on Oct. 22, 2024.

Lawson has racked up 207 tackles, 42 tackles for loss and 26 sacks across 110 games in his NFL career from 2016-24. In his six years with the Bills, the 6-foot-3, 265-pounder has posted 152 tackles, 33 tackles for loss and 21 sacks over 81 games.  

He made a massive impact as a defensive end at Clemson from 2013-15 and blossomed into one of the top players at his position as a junior in 2015, when he was a finalist for several national awards after leading the nation in tackles for loss.

Lawson racked up 167 tackles, 46.5 tackles for loss, 20 sacks, 29 quarterback pressures and two caused fumbles over 41 games (16 starts) in his career as a Tiger. He became the first Clemson defender since Anthony Simmons (1995-97) with double figure tackles for loss as a freshman, sophomore and junior.

–Photo courtesy of Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images