The Calgary Stampeders have signed American defensive back Michael Lawson.
The five-foot-nine, 188-pound product of Western Illinois played 17 games with the Leathernecks over two seasons. He made 151 tackles, nine tackles for loss, three sacks, six forced fumbles, four fumble recoveries, six interceptions and 12 passes breakups while adding three touchdowns — one on a punt return, one on a fumble recovery and one on an interception.
He was named to the Missouri Valley Conference’s All-Newcomer team during the 2021 spring season as well as earning an honourable mention All-MVC selection, later receiving second-team honours for the fall campaign.
Lawson spent the 2019 season at Lamar University before transferring, receiving dual first-team Southland Conference all-star selections as both a defensive back and a punt returner. He posted 94 tackles in 11 games as a Cardinal, adding 8.5 tackles for loss, one forced fumble, a forced fumble, a blocked kick, and five interceptions including one pick-six.
The Hayward, Calif. native began his collegiate career in the junior college ranks, spending two seasons at City College of San Francisco. He had 89 tackles and five interceptions in 19 games for the Rams.
Lawson went unselected in the 2022 NFL Draft after posting a 4.64-second 40-yard dash at his college pro day. He later attended NFL rookie mini-camps with the Indianapolis Colts and New Orleans Saints but did not receive a contract.