He is related to Los Angeles Clippers Hall of Fame commentator Ralph Lawler.

Lawler earned the starting job as a sophomore, lining up for every game and leading the Mustangs with 64 tackles, nine for loss while compiling five sacks.

His break-out season came in 2016, garnering first-team American Athletic Conference accolades, racking up 65 stops and leading the team with 15 tackles for loss and six sacks.

Lawler gained first-team all-conference recognition as a senior, as well, racking up 74 tackles, 15.5 for loss, 9.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, and three blocked kicks for the Mustangs.

[5] On September 5, 2020, Lawler was waived/injured during final roster cuts by the Rams,[6] and subsequently reverted to the team's injured reserve list the next day.