Clemson 'very optimistic' Shaq Lawson will play in championship

Clemson defensive end Shaq Lawson suffered a knee injury in the Orange Bowl, but the ailment doesn't appear serious enough to keep him out of the national championship against Alabama.

"So far, so good," head coach Dabo Swinney said Monday. "Very optimistic that he'll be able to play."

Lawson is arguably Clemson's most valuable defender. The Tigers rely on him to get into the opposing team's backfield with great frequency, and the junior has recorded 10.5 sacks and 22.5 tackles for loss this year, according to Sports Reference.

Lawson said after the Orange Bowl win that he would be good to go for the national championship on Jan. 11. The game is expected to be Lawson's last before he takes his talents to the NFL draft.