Who's That Wildcat: TE Lawson Albright
TE Lawson Albright
Height: 6'5" Weight: 225 lbs
Hometown: Greensboro, NC
High school: Grimsley
Why he chose Northwestern:
Though Albright committed to Northwestern without ever setting foot on campus, virtual visits with head coach Pat Fitzgerald and his team convinced the tight end that he had found a home with the Wildcats.
“I just thought it was the best fit for me — playing in the Big Ten with Coach Fitzgerald and one of the best coaching staffs in the country, and at the same time getting a Northwestern degree,” Albright told Rivals.
With 20 total offers — the majority from Power 5 schools — Albright narrowed down his options with the help of his father, Ethan, who played in the NFL for 16 years. The former long snapper encouraged his son to consider what a school could offer both on and off the field, and Albright saw the greatest opportunity at Northwestern.
“I know that whenever I’m done playing football, whether that’s right after college or if I’m lucky enough to make it to the NFL — which is my dream — I’ll have good connections, a good education and a good degree,” he told the News & Record of Greensboro, N.C.
Albright’s other finalists were Boston College, Illinois, Louisville and N.C. State.
Power Five Offers:
Boston College, Duke, Florida, Georgia Tech, Illinois, Indiana, Louisville, Maryland, Michigan State, NC State, Pittsburgh, Virginia, Virginia Tech, West Virginia, Wisconsin
Group of Five Offers:
Appalachian State, East Carolina
Evaluation:
Albright’s ability to both run routes and block makes him a versatile, dual-threat tight end for Northwestern.
During his junior year of high school, Albright lead his team in receptions, receiving yards and receiving touchdowns, bringing in 29 catches for 475 yards — averaging 16.4 yards per catch with a long of 55 yards — and 10 touchdowns. He put up similar stats his senior season, which was played in the spring due to the pandemic.
Albright’s solid understanding of the defense allows him to make plays blocking as well. In time, the tight end could play a contributing role in the Cats’ offense.
Big time players make big time plays. @AlbrightLawson 🖋 with the family 😈#NSD21 | #GoCats pic.twitter.com/XIoFYIWCy5
— Northwestern Football (@NUFBFamily) December 16, 2020
Playing time projection:
With last season’s standout tight end John Raine now in the NFL, the Wildcats will look to senior and returning starter Charlie Mangieri, as well as redshirt senior Trey Pugh, to lead the group. Four other returning players follow in the depth chart, including former QB Jason Whittaker, who, at 6-foot-5 and 222 pounds, will try his hand at the position.
Albright is the Wildcats’ only first-year tight end. While he may not see the field this season, he has the potential grow into a key contributor under the guidance of offensive coordinator Mike Bajakian and tight ends coach Bob Heffner.
“When I get [to Northwestern], I'm going to work as hard as I can,” he told Rivals. “I’m going to listen to Coach Heffner, and I know I'll play when I'm ready to play.”
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Alyssa Haduck is a reporter for Wildcats Daily on Sports Illustrated's FanNation Network. She has also written for the Washington Football Team, the United States Golf Association, and the University of Maryland athletic department. Haduck is currently a graduate student studying sports journalism at Northwestern's Medill School of Journalism.