Since declaring for the 2021 NFL Draft in January, former Clemson QB Trevor Lawrence has been widely projected as the #1 overall pick by the Jacksonville Jaguars. Lawrence would do so after leaving behind a remarkable legacy in his three years at his alma mater. Here’s a lookback at #16’s college career.
Lawrence made his NCAAF entrance as one of the top recruits out of high school as he was named No. 2 player in the nation by ESPN. He would gain the starting QB position at Clemson outright, and would quickly ascend in the college football charts.
In his first year, he became a household name with 3,280 yards passing along with a sweet topping of 30 touchdown passes. Not to mention his accuracy… Lawrence would throw for 169 consecutive pass attempts without an interception. By week 9, he had already broken former Clemson QB Deshaun Watson’s single-season school records for passing TDs and passing yards by a true freshman.
Lawrence would conclude his rookie season in a stunning performance that completely annihilated the then #1 Alabama Crimson Tide 44-16. Lawrence would pass for an impressive 347 yards to lead his team to the win, becoming the first true freshman QB to win a National Championship title since Oklahoma QB Jamelle Holieway in 1985.
His staggering numbers would only improve in his following season with the Tigers. He’d have a career high of 3,665 yards in 36 touchdown passes.
Not only did Trevor Lawrence show up as an elite passer, but was also tremendous on the ground. In his sophomore season, he showcased 103 carries for 563 yards and a career, and a career-high nine rushing touchdowns, as his 45 combined rushing and passing touchdowns tied Lamar Jackson for fifth-most in a season in ACC history.
As #16 found his footing, no pun intended, he would use every bit of his 6’6 220 lb. frame to forge past defenders, breaking tackles left and right to stay on his feet and remind many of the legendary Peyton Manning.
Lawrence would again lead his team to a second National Championship against LSU. This would produce his only loss of the entire season, a season where the QB had held the longest Clemson quarterback streak with a total of 34 wins in a row.
In his final year at Clemson, Lawrence would become the second Heisman finalist in school history and finish with first-team All-ACC selections for the second straight year. To no surprise, he’d be recognized as both ACC Player and Offensive Player of the Year.
Every year, Lawrence’s passing completion percentage would be on the up and up. In Week 7, he’d even release an incredible 83-yard touchdown pass! Lawrence would close his junior year with a 69.2 completion percentage and 3,153 yards in passing, a total passing yardage that would have been a dream for most college QBs to hit in last year’s short Covid-riddled season.
Trevor Lawrence would be one of many college athletes that would miss games due to Covid-19 protocols during the 2020 season. As Lawrence averaged over 300 yards a game, that same 3,153 would have probably looked more like 3,800 after all was said and done. As the QB finished Top 10 in passing in the nation both his sophomore and junior year, no one can expect anything less.
Lawrence would cap his college career leading Clemson to three consecutive ACC titles and two successive National Championship appearances.
The QB has experienced clear success at every level thus far in his football career, but Lawrence’s next chapter is going to be his biggest test of all. On the eve of the 2021 NFL Draft, one thing’s for sure Lawrence is going at the top.
As America’s eye are peeled to see what’s next for the QB on the highest stage in the NFL, in the words of #16, “The Best Is Always Yet to Come.”
