SAN JOSE, Calif. — The first thing you notice about Clemson’s precocious freshman quarterback Trevor Lawrence is his should length blonde hair, reminiscent of the character “Sunshine” who played quarterback and California beach boy Ronnie Bass from the Disney high school football movie, “Remember the Titans’’
The 19-year old Lawrence sported a buzz cut as an eighth grade phenom, then began to grow out his hair in ninth grade and it has become the distinguishing feature on the best freshman in the country and part of his growing legend.
“I just wanted to grow it out,’’ he said. “I’ve had it ever since.’’
Clemson co-offensive coordinator Jeff Scott first saw Lawrence play in 11th grade and told the other Tigers’ coaches: “I’ll grow my hair out if that’s what it takes to get him to Clemson.’’
The religious Lawrence may eccentric, but he has remained humble and laid back, even though it is a major topic of conversation with reporters covering his games. The most popular question? “Will you cut it?’’
Maybe,’’ Lawrence said.
But his teammates don’t want to mess with success.
Lawrence has been destined to be a superstar since he played for Joey King at Carterville, Ga. High School—breaking Deshaun Watson’s state passing records in a storied high school career that takes on new meaning now that he has followed Watson’s footsteps at Clemson. Lawrence won 41 games and two state championships at Carterville while developing into the No. 1 recruit in the class of 2018.
He has been a revelation ever since he replaced incumbent Kelly Bryant in mid-September, leading the Tigers to a 14-0 record and a spot in the College Football Playoff championship game Monday night at Levi’s Stadium in nearby Santa Clara.
NFL scouts have already declared him far and away ahead of every college quarterback right now, even though he has two years before he can consider declaring for the NFL draft. Lawrence has elite accuracy and arm strength, is poised, manages the game and he wins.
Lawrence has already drawn comparisons to NFL icon Peyton Manning. He even wears No. 16 in honor of the number his hero wore at Tennessee. The two spoke last week. Lawrence, who replaced former Clemson starter Kelly Bryant early in this season, has thrown for 2,933 yards, 27 touchdowns and four interceptions with a 65.5 completion percentage.
Just last week, during the Tigers’ 30-3 blowout of Notre Dame in the College Football playoff semi-final in Texas, Lawrence completed 27 of 39 passes for 327 yards and three touchdowns, leading Clemson coach Dabo Swinney to suggest he is the reincarnation of Watson, who led Clemson to a 45-40 victory over Alabama in the 2017 title game, from a mindset standpoint. Lawrence has devoured the playoff quickly adjusted to the speed of the game and maintained his poise. “No moment has been too big for him,’’ Swinney said on the Jim Rome Show.
The difference between Lawrence and Watson is that Lawrence is 6-6 and 215 pounds. When Watson arrived, he was only 180. “So, he physically had more to develop.’’
Lawrence committed to Clemson over Georgia in during his junior year in Dec. of 2016 to calm the hysteria that surrounded his recruiting. His commitment marked the second straight year Clemson had signed a five-star quarterback prospect. But Lawrence wasn’t worried about the competition.
Since he arrived, four quarterbacks have left the program. Zerrick Cooper and Tucker Israel both announced they were leaving shortly after Lawrence enrolled. That May, five-star quarterback Hunter Johnson left for Northwestern after being one of Clemson’s most sought after recruits in 2017.
During the season, Bryant departed and committed to Missouri after Swinney named Lawrence the full-time starter, even though Bryant had led the Tigers to a 4-0 starter. “We always try to recruit better,’’ Swinney admitted. “We don’t go out and try to sign five backups. No one’s position is safe. Every year is a new competition.’’
Once Lawrence took over, the Tigers exploded into a national contender. And Lawrence could be Alabama’s worse nightmare against what could be Nick Saban’s best team ever.
The Tide only has one weakness. They may rank 13th in total defense (3-7.9 yards per game) but they have been vulnerable to a deep passing game. Alabama has given up 43 completions of at least 20 yards. In the Tide’s 45-34 national semi-final victory over Oklahoma, the Sooners connected on a 49-yard Td pass and averaged 16.2 yards on its 19 completions.
Clemson has the type of passing game with Lawrence and wideouts Tee Higgins, Amari Rodgers, Justyn Ross and Hunter Renfro—that has completed 32 passes for 30 yards or more—sixth nationally—that could hurt the Tide down field.
The best comparison to Clemson is Georgia. Dawgs’ sophomore quarterback Jake Fromm made the Tide sweat, completing 25-for-39 passes for 301 yards with three touchdowns and no interceptions during a 35-28 loss in the SEC championship game. If Clemson’s offensive line can limit the Tide’s pass rush, they could have a match up advantage.
