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College football 2018: Top 30 breakout players to watch

By Jeremy Morris

Photo by Leon Bennett/Getty Images
Photo by Leon Bennett/Getty Images /
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Trevor Lawrence (16) 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)
Trevor Lawrence (16) 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) /

Kelly Bryant will likely return as Clemson’s starter under center for at least the beginning of 2018. How long he keeps the job as the season goes along is the question. His backup at this point is freshman Trevor Lawrence who committed in 2017 and enrolled early to participate in 2018 spring drills.

Lawrence was the number one overall player in the 2018 recruiting class. As a four-year starter at Cartersville High School (GA), he had one of the most prolific high school careers on record, throwing for just shy of 14,000 yards and 161 touchdowns. Midway through his senior season, Lawrence set the Georgia state record for passing yards set by former Clemson quarterback Deshaun Watson.

During Clemson’s spring game, he wasted no time showing fans what they can look forward to in years to come when he threw a 50-yard bomb for a touchdown on his second attempt of the game. Lawrence finished the spring game 11-of-16 for 122 yards and a touchdown while incumbent starter Kelly Bryant struggled, completing 8-of-15 passes for only 35 yards and no scores.

If Bryant struggles early, gets banged up, or the offense sputters and Lawrence gets a shot, that may be all it takes for the coaching staff to turn the keys to Clemson’s offense over to the talented freshman.