After visiting the University of Central Florida, University of Florida, University of Miami and the University of South Florida during the spring months, class of 2023 quarterback Max Lawrence has made his collegiate decision.
Lawrence will be walking-on and suiting up for the Miami Hurricanes Football team this fall and LifeWallet Sports had the opportunity to speak with him this week, where he would further detail his decision to stay in Miami-Dade County; to continue pursuing his academic and athletic careers.
“Miami was the first to give me a spot on the team and it’s close to home,” Lawrence said when asked why he ultimately chose Miami. He would also share the excitement him and his family have about his decision by saying, “They love it, we’re all grateful for the opportunity and they’re happy I’m close to home.”
When Miami decided to give Lawrence the green light to be able to commit to the football program, he learned about it in an entirely different way compared to other recruits. “My dad knew before I did, so he told me and there was no hesitation, I just took it and I’m just grateful for the opportunity,” said Lawrence.
Standing in at 6-foot-3, 210-pounds, Lawrences decided to transfer to play his senior season at Westland Hialeah Senior High School (FL) from Miami Beach High School (FL), where he threw for 1619 passing yards for 122 completions on 201 attempts (62% completion rate) and 19 touchdowns in eight games. He’s also a star off the field, he holds a 4.81 GPA and hauled in over 17 scholarship offers. Lawrence is more than just an athlete, and not only is he a scholar but he also he runs his own business and has plans to study that aspect at Miami.
“Yes, really it was preparing for college and being with the right coaching staff at the school that fit me best,” Lawrence said on his decision from a year ago to transfer from Miami Beach High School (FL) to Westland Hialeah. “Westland Hialeah came along late and I was just happy to be there and I made the right choice, and all my coaches have pushed me to be the best person and football player I am today. …Definitely business, I run my own business. I resell shoes, clothes and football apparel, so I think that would really help me and that’s what I’ve always been interested in.”
Lawrence had visited Miami on several occasions before ultimately pulling the trigger and committing to the school on Monday, where he developed relationships with the coaching staff and he explained the difference Miami made in his recruitment compared to the other schools that recruited him.
“The energy is always there, it’s not just there when recruits are there, it’s there when no one is watching,” Lawrence said about Miami’s coaching staff. “You can tell that they are building a great roster, a great staff, and a great place that is going to be one of the top schools in the country. Coach Cristobal is a great person, he’s hard working and I’m just happy to call him my head coach. I can tell that they are all great people and they are happy to have me.”
Miami has a new offensive coordinator this year, Shannon Dawson, and Lawrence is a fan of what the Hurricanes will be employing schematically on the field this upcoming season.
“I liked a lot of the quick game and being able to stretch the field when needed. Also having a good balance with the run game,” Lawrence said.
Lawrence is not the only prospect from Westland Hialeah (FL) being recruited by the Miami Hurricanes Football coaching staff either. Jamari Howard, a four-star cornerback in the class of 2024 who recently decommitted from Michigan State is also being pursued by the Hurricanes.
“Me and Jamari, I didn’t really know him until I got to Westland Hialeah, but me and Jamari have grown close and we’re very alike,” Lawrence said when asked about his teammate, Jamari Howard. “We’re both very hard working and we’re always working out together, he’s just a great person and a great student. I think that’s what separates him, between him and all the recruits in Miami-Dade, he’s a good student and he puts his student life first.”
Lawrence has a few goals set before he enrolls at Miami and even shared a personal message for Miami Hurricane fans ahead of his arrival in Coral Gables.
“Getting ready to get on campus is what I’m focusing on right now, working out five or six times a week, two or three times a day and just being physically and mentally ready for when I get on campus; and then once I get on campus just take it day by day. I just want to say thank you for accepting me and welcoming me, and I’m just happy to be a Cane,” Lawrence said.
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