Carl Lawson to Return to Auburn: Latest Comments and Reaction

Auburn defensive lineman Carl Lawson announced Wednesday he has decided to return to the Tigers in lieu of declaring for the 2016 NFL draft. 

Lawson made the announcement official with a post on Twitter: 

The redshirt sophomore served as the linchpin of Auburn's defense when healthy and finished the year with 17 tackles and a sack. After missing the 2014 season because of an ACL tear, Lawson was hounded by a hip injury that forced him to miss six games.     

On New Year's Eve, Lawson addressed rumors that he was entering his name in the draft: 

"

whoever said I'm declaring has really bad sources and was just anxious for a story. Like what? I'm going to say that at halftime of a game

— carl lawson (@carllawson14) December 31, 2015"

Wednesday, Lawson's father, Carl Lawson Sr., explained why his son is returning to the program, according to AL.com's Brandon Marcello: 

"

He does love Auburn and he wants to get his degree, which he's close to doing. He feels like he personally set some goals for himself when he came, he hasn't accomplished them yet and he wants to get that done. He just figures he hasn't played his best football and he certainly wants to win a national championship ring. There's a lot of things he wants to do and show he can come back and get better.

"

Since Lawson has been banged up each of the last two seasons, it makes sense he'd want to try to string together a complete campaign reminiscent of his breakout freshman year. In 2013, Lawson compiled a career-best 20 tackles—7.5 for loss—four sacks and two forced fumbles. 

The 5-star recruit can emerge as a real force for Auburn's defense next season, but he'll need some good fortune in the medical department to do so. 

As Bleacher Report's Barrett Sallee noted before the Tigers hired Kevin Steele as their new defensive coordinator, Lawson's departure could have crippled Auburn's defense: 

With all the physical skills necessary to help Auburn's defense wreak havoc in the SEC, Lawson should be watched closely as NFL teams continue to do their homework on the game-changing lineman.    

Star rankings courtesy of 247Sports.