Lawless ready to be point man for Vols

NASHVILLE — Magic Johnson is coming to Rocky Top.

Well, at least someone who thought he was Magic for the longest time.

Nashville Christian’s Brant Lawless has played point guard his entire life, but now the 6-foot-4, 300-pound defensive tackle hopes to be the maestro of Tennessee’s defense in the future.

“I’m still a true point guard all day, baby,” the Vols’ newest 2018 commit said, grinning.

“I’ve grown up playing basketball all my life. I started out thinking I was going to be a basketball player. But this year, I was like, ‘Man, I don't think I’m going to be a basketball player,’ but for the longest time I thought I was a little Magic Johnson or (Russell) Westbrook.”

At around 300 pounds, Lawless has torn it up on the court for the Eagles, averaging around 20 points, 10 rebounds and a couple assists a game last season. He grew up playing AAU hoops and participated in the East vs. West All-Star Game in Chicago. Still, Lawless tabled his hoop dreams when he realized he wasn't going to be 6-9, but all his experience playing basketball — developing exemplary court vision, quick feet and stamina — helped him become one of the most menacing defensive tackles in the country.

“His athleticism, explosive movements set him apart,” Nashville Christian coach Jeff Brothers said.

“He’s still a point guard. He’s a point guard in his head. He’s a point guard, literally. I mean, he brings the ball down the floor when we have pressure and they can’t get it away from him. He makes great passes. He sees the floor well.

"In his mind, he’s still a point guard. In his mind, he’s still a running back and a linebacker just playing with his hand in the ground. He moves like a skill-position player, and he thinks like a skill-position player. God blessed him with the ability to do that at 290-plus.”

Lawless, who has 32 tackles for loss the last two seasons, has been a key cog in the Eagles’ football success in recent years, helping current Tennessee linebacker Daniel Bituli lead the team to a state championship in 2015. Lawless learned a lot about the recruiting process from Bituli, maintaining a similar low-key, humble approach.

“That’s just his personality,” Brothers said. “He doesn't walk around with all his letters falling out of his backpack so everybody sees him.”

Despite offers and legit interest from schools like Ohio State, Alabama, Oklahoma and Auburn, Tennessee’s newest pledge rarely discussed his recruitment and didn't camp all over the country. He piggy-backed Bituli’s quiet commitment, too, waking up on a random Monday in May and simply deciding the time was right.

On Monday afternoon, Lawless texted Bituli, “Go Vols!” but Tennessee’s sophomore linebacker was confused.

“Today?” Bituli shot back?

“Yes sir!” Lawless responded, and then the two quickly connected on the phone and excitedly discuss Lawless’ decision.

“He watched those guys do their thing well and to handle this process well and to go on and perform at the next level well,” Brothers said.

“I think the whole process is so fast and so burdensome to these kids because they're still just kids. All the hoopla. … It’s such a burden and he’s always been weary of it all. I think he’s glad to just be done with it. He’s made some good relationships."

Lawless opted to stay home and represent the Vols because of his comfort level with the program and coaches. He’s meshed well with Tennessee’s new defensive line coach Brady Hoke, but he’s also bonded with current 2018 prospects Cade Mays (a 5-star Tennessee commit), Greg Emerson and others. When Lawless’ parents “fell in love” with the school during a Junior Day visit in March, that pretty much sealed the deal.

“It just all worked out,” Lawless said. “I loved the school. They loved the school. They loved the coaches. All the respect that they showed them. They really loved the place.”

Lawless' decision continues Tennessee's recent recruiting momentum. He's the Vols' fifth 2018 pledge since the spring game and hopes he’s the first domino of the blue-chip, in-state defensive linemen to wear the Orange and White. He's alreadg been recruiting Emerson, a 4-star end at Northside, and Riverdale defensive tackle D’Andre Litaker to join the class. Nicknamed the “Big 3,” Lawless said it’d be “real nice” for the Vols to land both talented prospects and believes Tennessee is well positioned.

For now, though, Lawless is just happy the process his behind him and he can go back to being a big teddy bear at Nashville Christian. Raised in the small school with only around 500 students, Lawless has a strong connection to the Eagles community and has become a larger than life figure at Nashville Christian. He plays dodgeball with elementary kids and enjoys reading to 3-year-olds.

“I try to lead by the best example I can,” he said. “I read with them, talk with them, cut up with them, so they wont feel like I’m that big scary guy. I enjoy the kids and they’ve also helped me along the way.”

Brothers said Tennessee isn't just getting a game-changing player, but a servant leader. Despite Lawless’ NBA hopes now in the past, the defensive tackle could still play a point guard role in Tennessee’s program in the future.

“People gravitate towards him. He’s a great personality. He’s very humble, and he’s very confident,” Brothers explained. “He has a gracious smile and a handshake and doesn't parade himself around like he’s got anything different than anybody else.

“The little kids love him. Our school community, we champion the idea that we’re a family, so during P.E. classes he can play with them, or go read to the 3-year-olds. They see him and it’s a little bit of a ‘Wow’ factor because he’s so imposing, but as soon as he smiles, as soon as he talks and laughs, he’s just like everybody else.”