Michigan ties run deep for football team's latest preferred walk-on
Mark Lawson watched from the stands when the Michigan football team rallied from a 17-point deficit to beat Michigan State 45-37 in triple overtime.
Since that day in 2004, he was determined to wear the maize and blue. According to Scout.com recruiting analyst Allen Trieu, he'll get his chance as a class of 2012 preferred walk-on.
Mark Lawson (34) makes a tackle during Ada Forest Hills Eastern's game against Grand Rapids Catholic Central.
Grand Rapids Press
Lawson has deep ties to the university and its athletic department, his father, Jeff Lawson, told Trieu.
His parents are Michigan graduates and his brother is currently attending the university's law school. His great grandfather was an employee of the athletic department and his great grandmother a Michigan graduate. A great uncle, Herb Frederick, has been a stadium volunteer for 68 years.
Lawson, a 4.0 student, reportedly received recruiting interest from several MAC and Ivy League schools.
He accumulated more than 400 tackles as a three-year starter at middle linebacker and a three-year all-conference selection at Forest Hills Eastern.
“He thrives on film study and knowing opponents’ tendencies," his high school coach, Tim Gibson, told the Grand Rapids Press. "He plays sideline to sideline and doesn’t give up on plays.”
Comments
Terry Star21
Thu, Jan 19, 2012 : 3:10 a.m.
I think it's great when these young kids pass up schools/scholarships to attend the school of their dream - albeit as walk-ons. Some of these kids are the hungriest to-do-good you will ever see. MgoBlueForTiM...........Welcome home to Michigan Mark.
umgoblue47
Tue, Jan 17, 2012 : 6:35 p.m.
i have a friend who was at the ada-grcc game and said lawson was all over the field making plays. . . great kid, great motor, hard worker and never gives up on a play. . . welcome to MICHIGAN! GO BLUE!!!!!!!!!
Mick
Tue, Jan 17, 2012 : 8:26 a.m.
Good luck To you Mark, congrats on the preferred walk-on offer and after gaining some weight and muscle, the sky could be the limit for you young man. A smart kid who studies film, is great in the class room will succeed in life. I have a feeling Lawson is gonna make some kind of impact on the team and may even be able to get playing time with continued effort and hustle. At 6'2" and 195, he could easily put on 25-30 pounds, he's got the frame for it, you never know. I also like the 6'2" WR Bo Dever we're getting as a preferred walk-on as well
boo
Mon, Jan 16, 2012 : 10:44 p.m.
Love kids like this. He will make an impact at Michigan. It may not be on the field on Saturdays, but I know he will make his teammates work harder in practice, which makes the whole team better.
DonAZ
Mon, Jan 16, 2012 : 8:48 p.m.
Let's hope this kid turns out to be another Jordan Kovacs.