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Clemson makes the safe call at quarterback

By Rucker Haringey

CLEMSON, SC - APRIL 14: Kelly Bryant (2) looks to throw a pass during action in the Clemson Spring Football game at Clemson Memorial Stadium on April 14, 2018 in Clemson, SC..(Photo by John Byrum/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
CLEMSON, SC - APRIL 14: Kelly Bryant (2) looks to throw a pass during action in the Clemson Spring Football game at Clemson Memorial Stadium on April 14, 2018 in Clemson, SC..(Photo by John Byrum/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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Filling Deshaun Watson’s shoes isn’t going to be easy for any Clemson quarterback, but Kelly Bryant is getting another shot to follow in Watson’s footsteps.

Some Clemson fans really wanted to see freshman Trevor Lawrence supplant Kelly Bryant as the Tigers’ starting quarterback next season. Dabo Swinney has other plans. The Clemson head coach squashed any talk of a quarterback controversy by naming Bryant his starter heading into the fall.

Tigers fans hoping for Bryant to look like the second coming of Deshaun Watson last year were disappointed. He only threw for 13 touchdowns during the 2017 season, though he also added 11 scores on the ground. Despite that productivity, his lack of speed and sizzle with the ball in his hands make him a very different signal-caller than Watson was.

In fairness, Bryant did lead his team to the College Football Playoff semifinal against Alabama, but the Crimson Tide laid his weaknesses bare in the game. He was 18 of 36 for just 124 yards against Nick Saban’s defense. He compounded his poor play with two interceptions as well.

Despite his struggles against the Tide, Swinney’s decision to name him the starter was still the right call for the Clemson offense. Lawrence is a very talented player, but he doesn’t have the experience Bryant does in the team’s offensive system. Bryant is a mature junior who learned from Watson for a full season before getting his chance to play. It’s only natural that he commands the offense in a superior fashion when compared to the inexperienced freshman.

Swinney also understands that the only regular season game his team lost last season was when Bryant went out injured at Syracuse. Alabama was the only team who managed to defeat the Tigers when Bryant was under center.

Next: Clemson football 2018: Starting lineup and depth chart projection

Even though Bryant will enter the season as the starter, Lawrence still needs to prepare like he’s going to play Week 1. Bryant runs the ball a lot and takes more than his share of hits. The decision of highly touted passer Hunter Johnson to transfer leaves Lawrence as the only reasonable option to replace Bryant if he goes down.

Trevor Lawrence will get his chance to lead the Clemson offense at some point in his career. As for now, it’s still Kelly Bryant’s time to try to lead the Tigers to a National Championship.

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