Trevor Lawrence arrived in college as one of the most highly-touted prospects in modern college football history.
Lawrence made history as Clemson’s highest-ever draft pick, going No. 1 overall in the NFL Draft.
During his illustrious college career, Lawrence led the Tigers to three College Football Playoff appearances, including two national championship games. As a true freshman, he led Clemson to its second College Football Playoff National Championship in three years.
In that title victory, Lawrence was named Offensive MVP, a feat he repeated in his final ACC Championship game in 2020.
With a remarkable 34-2 record as a starter, Lawrence never lost a regular season game and finished second in Heisman voting in 2020.
Over his Clemson career, Lawrence completed 66.6% of his passes, throwing for 10,098 yards and 90 touchdowns against just 17 interceptions. His career passing yardage ranks third all-time at Clemson, trailing only Tajh Boyd (11,904) and Deshaun Watson (10,163).
From 2018 to 2020, Lawrence rewrote much of Clemson’s record book and consistently remained in the Heisman Trophy conversation, finishing as a finalist in 2020. His tenure at Clemson ranks among the most celebrated by any quarterback in college football history, highlighted by that national title in his debut season.
Delivering on the Hype
Lawrence’s path to Clemson began at Cartersville High School in Georgia, where he delivered a high school career for the ages. By the time he finished, Lawrence had rewritten the state’s record books, setting new marks for passing yards and passing touchdowns — previously held by Watson.
In his high school career, Lawrence finished with a 52-2 record.
Despite being a lifelong Tennessee fan, Lawrence’s college decision ultimately came down to Clemson and Georgia. With Clemson fresh off a national title game appearance, Lawrence committed to the Tigers in December 2016, just three weeks before they secured their first national championship.
Lawrence was the nation’s No. 1 recruit, and the buzz and hype that followed him to Clemson were reminiscent of Tim Tebow’s first season at Florida.
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Lawrence entered his first year at Clemson as the backup to Kelly Bryant, but it didn’t take long for him to make an impact. Lawrence quickly impressed the coaching staff by sharing playing time in the early games.
After just four games, head coach Dabo Swinney boldly decided to elevate Lawrence to the starting role, ultimately prompting Bryant to transfer.
Though Bryant had led Clemson to an ACC title and a College Football Playoff semifinal the previous year, his struggles in the passing game opened the door for Lawrence, whose talent and poise were evident from the start.
Taking over as the starter, Lawrence led Clemson to an undefeated regular season. He then guided the Tigers to a 42–10 victory over Pittsburgh in the ACC Championship Game, securing a spot in the College Football Playoff.
As the No. 2 seed, Clemson faced No. 3 Notre Dame in the Cotton Bowl Classic, where Lawrence helped the Tigers dominate in a 30–3 win.
The season culminated in a showdown with heavily favored Alabama in the 2019 College Football Playoff National Championship. Lawrence delivered a masterful performance, leading Clemson to a shocking 44–16 rout, marking Alabama’s worst defeat under Nick Saban.
Lawrence’s outstanding play earned him Offensive MVP honors, and he became the first true freshman quarterback to start for a national champion since 1985.
Lawrence finished his remarkable freshman season with 3,280 passing yards and 30 touchdowns. His impressive debut earned him numerous accolades, including National Freshman of the Year, the Archie Griffin Award from the Touchdown Club of Columbus, and ACC Rookie of the Year honors.
Lawrence’s performance solidified his status as one of college football’s most promising young quarterbacks, and he had somehow managed to overdeliver on the deafening hype surrounding him entering his freshman season.
Completions: 259
Attempts: 397
Yards: 3,280
Comp. %: 65.2%
TDs: 30
INTs: 4
Rush Attempts: 60
Rush Yards: 177
Rush TDs: 1
A Quest To Repeat
Following one of the best freshman campaigns in college football history, Lawrence set out to win back-to-back national titles and secure college football’s top individual honor, the Heisman Trophy.
Lawrence was named the preseason ACC Player of the Year and was touted as a frontrunner for the Heisman Trophy in 2019. But for the first time in his college career, Lawrence faced a bit of adversity. While it didn’t cause Clemson to lose any games, it hurt Lawrence’s early Heisman chances as his early-season inconsistencies caused him to slip in the Heisman race.
Despite the rocky start, Lawrence found his groove in the latter part of the season, ultimately leading the nation in passer rating over the final stretch and finishing seventh in Heisman voting.
Under Lawrence’s leadership, Clemson completed another undefeated regular season, securing the ACC Championship with a decisive win over Virginia. This victory earned the Tigers the No. 3 seed in the College Football Playoff.
In the Fiesta Bowl against Ohio State, Lawrence delivered a standout performance, throwing for 259 yards and two touchdowns while rushing for 107 yards and another score. His efforts were crucial in Clemson’s 29–23 comeback win, sending the team to its second consecutive national championship game with Lawrence at the helm.
However, in the CFP Championship against LSU, Lawrence and Clemson faced a tough challenge. LSU came in with one of the best offenses in college football history, led by Heisman-winning quarterback Joe Burrow, all-world wide receivers Justin Jefferson and Ja’Marr Chase, and running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire.
The Tigers’ 29-game winning streak ended with a 42–25 loss, marking the first defeat of Lawrence’s college career. It was a challenging game for Lawrence, who struggled with his accuracy, completing just 18 of 37 passes for 234 yards and no touchdowns, resulting in the lowest passer rating of his career.
Completions: 268
Attempts: 407
Yards: 3,665
Comp. %: 65.8%
TDs: 36
INTs: 8
Rush Attempts: 103
Rush Yards: 563
Rush TDs: 9
The Last Chance To Get to the Top of College Football
With Lawrence being the consensus No. 1 overall pick in the next year’s NFL Draft, it was widely known that his junior campaign would be his last shot at winning another national title at Clemson.
Lawrence was also on a quest to win his first Heisman, and he started the 2020 season like a man on a mission.
Over the first six games, Lawrence threw for 1,833 yards, 17 touchdowns, and only two interceptions. However, his momentum was interrupted on Oct. 30, 2020, when he tested positive for COVID-19. The diagnosis required a 10-day quarantine under ACC protocols, causing him to miss two key games, including a loss to Notre Dame.
Many believed the layoff may have ended his Heisman dreams, but some argued that Clemson’s loss to Notre Dame without Lawrence proved his value.
Upon his return, Lawrence wasted no time regaining form, leading Clemson to another ACC Championship Game. This time, with Lawrence back under center, the Tigers avenged their earlier loss to Notre Dame, securing a decisive victory and earning a place in the College Football Playoff.
Unfortunately, Clemson’s playoff run ended in the Sugar Bowl semifinal with a 49-28 loss to Ohio State. Lawrence threw for 400 yards in the loss, but the Clemson defense had no answer for the high-powered Ohio State offense.
Lawrence finished his final season at Clemson with strong numbers: 3,153 passing yards, 24 touchdowns, and just five interceptions on 231-of-334 passing. His achievements earned him the ACC Player of the Year award, and he finished second in the Heisman Trophy voting, trailing only Alabama wide receiver DeVonta Smith, leaving many to wonder if his two-game absence with COVID cost Lawrence the Heisman Trophy.
Lawrence’s stellar season also recognized him as the ACC Athlete of the Year, sharing the honor with Boston College lacrosse star Charlotte North.
Completions: 231
Attempts: 334
Yards: 3,153
Comp. %: 69.2%
TDs: 24
INTs: 4
Rush Attempts: 68
Rush Yards: 203
Rush TDs: 8
From No. 1 Recruit to No. 1 Draft Pick
Just as he entered college football with a ton of hype, Lawrence would also enter the NFL surrounded by hype and expectations.
Lawrence would head to the 2021 NFL Draft as one of the most highly touted quarterback prospects in the NFL’s history, with nearly every analyst predicting he would be the first overall pick.
Lawrence even generated an NFL storyline while in college, leading to the “Tank for Trevor” movement among fans of struggling NFL teams.
Lawrence’s draft stock remained sky-high despite undergoing surgery on a torn labrum in his left shoulder. The Jacksonville Jaguars, who owned the first pick after a 1–15 season 2020, selected Lawrence as the top pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. He later signed a four-year, $36.8 million rookie contract with a $24.1 million signing bonus.
Before the final preseason game, the Jaguars officially named Lawrence their starting quarterback for the 2021 season. In his NFL debut against the Houston Texans, Lawrence threw for 332 yards, three touchdowns, and three interceptions in a 37–21 loss. The defeat marked his first-ever regular season loss, contrasting his undefeated regular season record throughout his college career.
Despite never winning the Heisman Trophy, Lawrence will forever remain in the record books as one of the best college quarterbacks ever.
Lawrence’s Final College Stats
Completions: 758
Attempts: 1,138
Yards: 10,098
Comp. %: 66.6%
TDs: 90
INTs: 17
Rush Attempts: 231
Rush Yards: 943
Rush TDs: 18
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