Markus Lawrence is in his first season as offensive line coach on the South Carolina State Football Coaching Staff.
Lawrence comes to South Carolina State after spending the past seven seasons as the Offensive Line Coach and Director of On-Campus Recruiting at Alabama A&M University.
"Super excited to have Coach Lawrence coach our offensive line. His offensive lines have been extremely productive everywhere he has been, "said Berry. "He brings a winning attitude, infectious energy & wealth of knowledge and will help our staff! To me it is all about the right fit & Coach Lawrence fits our culture! It will be great having him & his family join the Orangeburg and SCSU communities."
Lawrence noted, "My family and I are blessed and excited for this amazing opportunity! Thankful to Coach Berry and SC State University for trusting me to represent this prestigious program. I cannot wait to help develop the guys as students, athletes, and men. Go Dogs!"
While on the Alabama A&M staff. Lawrence coached and developed All-American Offensive Tackle Carson Vinson, the only HBCU player to be invited to the NFL Combine and Reese's Senior Bowl.
He also instructed fundamentals and techniques for player development on the offensive line, while also assisting with weekly game planning with prominence in the run game. His responsibilities included coaching and organizing scout team defense and organizing all recruitment and tryouts for potential student-athletes on campus. He was also responsible for recruiting Alabama, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina areas.
While at Alabama A&M, the offensive line has been one of the best in FCS. In 2019, the Bulldogs ranked seventh nationally in passing offense (305.2 ypg) and 13th in total offense (461.2 ypg). AAMU ranked in the top 10 nationally in three statistical categories in 2020, including fifth in scoring offense (40.2 ppg), seventh in passing offense (338.8 ypg) and eighth in total offense (457.0 ypg).
During the 2021 season, Alabama A&M ranked among the top 20 in the FCS in passing offense (367.2 ypg and 37 touchdowns), seventh in scoring offense (37.9 ppg), 13th in first down offense (252 total) and 18th in red zone offense (87 percent) scoring rate, while also leading the SWAC in total offense at 481.1 ypg.
In 2022, the Bulldogs led the conference in time of possession (33:24) and was first in the SWAC in third down conversions (40.7 percent) and seven in scoring offense (29.6 ppg) during the 2023 season.
While at Alabama A&M, Lawrence has developed numerous players, including Carson Vinson (2023 HBCU BOXTOROW Second Team All-American and College Football Network HBCU Second Team All-American), Jonathan Williams (2021 HBCU First Team All-American and 2023 HBCU Legacy Bowl Invite), Dexter Fuqua (2021 All-SWAC First Team), Anterrius Harrington (2021 All-SWAC Second Team), Tevoris Butler (2019 All-SWAC Second Team), Shonye Reams (2019 All-SWAC Second Team), Quante Hines (2017 All-Mid-South First Team), Michael Hinkley (2017 All-Mid-South First Team) and Jack Willenbrock (2016 All-MEAC Second Team).
Prior to coming to Alabama A&M, Lawrence coached the offensive line and was the run game coordinator at Bluefield College in 2017.
While at Bluefield, Lawrence helped guide the program to a 6-5 record, its first winning season since the reinstatement of football in 2012. His responsibilities included implementing an effective and multiple-running game within the constraints of a multiple spread offense, along with practice activities, meeting time, installation, and discipline. In addition, he assisted with the weekly game plan.
Before joining the Bluefield program, Lawrence spent three seasons (2014-16) at Hampton, serving as the tight ends coach and assistant director of football operations.
While at Hampton, he developed and executed practice plans and created drill work for the tight ends. In addition, he helped implement the offensive game plan and assisted with team travel and organization.
In 2015, the Pirates ranked second in the MEAC in total offense (358.2 ppg) and in passing offense (226.5 ypg). The following season, Hampton was second in the conference in third down conversions (38.5 percent) and 18th nationally in fourth down conversions (63 percent).
Lawrence received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Management Information Systems from Winston-Salem State University in 2013. He played under head coach Connell Maynor, lettering as an offensive lineman from 2009-2012 and was a three-year starter at center.
While at Winston-Salem, Lawrence earned several accolades, including being a two-time team captain (2011-12), two-time First Team All-CIAA (2011-12), two-time First Team Division II All-Region One (2011-12), Parade Black College Football All-American (2011-12), three-time CIAA Player of the Week (2012), Team Most Valuable Offensive Player (2012), AP-Little All-American (2012), Daktronics All-American (2012) and ESPN Little All-American Teams (2012). In addition, helped lead the Rams to the NCAA Division II National Championship Game (2012) and was a Gene Upshaw Lineman of the Year Award Finalist (2012).
