Seth Lawson is a class of 2023 offensive lineman out of Huntsville High School in Huntsville, Alabama. Standing at 6’4″ and weighing 280 pounds with a 2.8 GPA, the senior can run a 5.10 second 40, bench 320 pounds, and squat 430 pounds. Lawson is a true professional with the game, and truly grinds to help get his team the victory. This past week, I had the pleasant ability to speak with Lawson.
Q: Why do you play the game of football?
“I started playing very young. For me, it was my way to express emotions and really show a piece of myself.”
Q: Where do you see football going in your life?
“I don’t know how long I’ll get to play the sport, but I do know it’s going to continue to be a big part of my life. [Football] taught me a lot.”
Q: What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned playing football?
“Just don’t let others determine what you can or can’t do. Just work hard, and you can achieve anything.”
Q: What does football mean to you?
“I’m not gonna say that it is a part of my identity, because it’s not. But it does mean a lot to me. And it has helped me learn a lot about people, as well as myself. It also gave me another family that I can depend on that I know has my back!”
Q: What challenges have you overcome so far in your playing career?
“Well, I over came an injury, but [I think] the mental game is the greatest thing I’ve overcome. I would stress on everything that came to me. [I would be] thinking I’m not strong enough, then I’m not being big enough. [Eventually,] I decided to get there and work hard to get to where I needed to be and changed my mentality.”
Q: While we’re on the topic, do you consider football more mentally challenging, physically challenging, or a fair mix of both? Why?
“I would say a mix of both. You do need to be physically fit and strong enough to take on people, but I would say mental is mostly used because you have to be mentally tough to do both and make it through [the season and its problems].”
Q: Going back to having to overcome the mental game of football, what has motivated you to keep playing despite that?
“Probably just the people who believed in me over the years. That is including family, coaches, and friends/ teammates. There’s no other feeling [better than] to achieve and win something with a team.”
Q: How do you balance sports with your other responsibilities?
“I balance good sleep [with the ability to] get work done while in school, working out, and having time to socialize. I kind of adapted to that naturally. It’s been my life for years, just like that.”
Q: Do you have a favorite football memory?
“Probably when I first got pulled up to varsity freshman year and being excited for the future possibilities. I started on the offensive line the next year and have ever since. [Getting pulled up to varsity that year made me] truly grasp what’s possible, but it did make me feel accomplished and more confident in my abilities [as well.]”
Q: How do you stay trained and in football shape during the offseason?
“Well I use to wrestle, but stopped from an injury freshman year. [I use to just lift and eat on repeat.] But now this year, I’m doing track and shotput and that has my conditioning good, in addition to my lifting.”
Q: How are you looking to improve your game?
“My main focus is to get technique perfected, but also to just get bigger and stronger.”
Q: On the reverse side, what do you think is the strongest aspect of your game?
“Just the intensity I play with, and that I do my job until that whistle blows.”
Q: What are some goals you’ve set for yourself?
“Well, I know I want to go and get my degree from college. But for football, I would love to keep playing and [especially] make it to the next level and earn playing time.”
Q: Do you try to model your game after any current players, either pro or collegiate?
“Not really. I truly believe in being original, and I want my own greatness. I do love watching other higher level offensive lineman, like Trent Williams, Evan Neal, or Penei Sewell [though]. But I don’t want to be like them, I just want to be the best me!”
Q: What’s your favorite part of playing on the offensive line?
“Probably the hate. By that, I mean the people who just think [playing on the offensive line] is simple and easy and just a bunch of unathletic dudes.”
Q: What is something you want your coaches (past, present, or future) to know about you?
“I’m hard working. I don’t quit. I love to get better and learn new things, and I will never lose the passion to earn something meaningful.”
You can view his highlights here.
