Kirk Herbstreit gushes over Clemson phenom Trevor Lawrence ahead of Cotton Bowl

ESPN’s Kirk Herbstreit previews the Cotton Bowl matchup between Clemson and Notre Dame.

The Clemson Tigers are perennial championship contenders and will play for their second national title in the last three years if they get past Notre Dame in the Cotton Bowl.

Clemson’s road back to the College Football Playoff was made possible because of a decision influenced by the events of last year’s semifinal loss to Alabama. The Tigers didn’t have quarterback Deshaun Watson after he left for the NFL and quarterback Kelly Bryant was only able to do so much with his skill-set.

Bryant began the season as the starter but was replaced by true freshman Trevor Lawrence in Week 5 and the quarterback of the future quickly became the quarterback of the present. The decision by Dabo Swinney to make the quarterback change was influenced by last year’s playoff semifinal defeat, according to ESPN’s Kirk Herbstreit.

“I think the experience against Alabama in the Playoff last year, and without an effective downfield passing game, Alabama exposed Clemson’s offense last year and Dabo privately thought we can’t wait to get our hands on Trevor Lawrence to see if we can get back to where we were with Deshaun Watson.”

Clemson is a win away vs. Notre Dame from getting back to where they were with Watson under center. Watson went 1-1 vs. Alabama in National Championship Games and the rubber match could happen if Lawrence is able to continue what he’s done since taking the field.

Lawrence completed 65 percent of his passes for 2,606 yards, 24 touchdowns and only four interceptions.

“No, he’s an incredible talent, Herbstreit said when asked if he’d ever seen a better true freshman quarterback. “Trevor has incredible poise and maturity for a young player. What’s scary is he’s just scratching the surface where he’s going to be in two years. He reminds me of a junior or senior with his poise and the way he can command the offense.”

Lawrence might have a better supporting cast than Bryant had too. Running back Travis Etienne was among the nation’s leaders with 1,463 yards and 21 touchdowns. A balanced offense has been key for Clemson and it’ll be key against a stout Notre Dame defense that ranked 10th in points allowed per game at 17.3

Last year, they didn’t have the big-play ability at receiver, but now, they do. Those guys [ (Tee Higgins, Justyn Ross, Amari Rodgers] are playing very well. They’re clicking and hitting on all cylinders.”

If Notre Dame can’t get pressure on Lawrence, it could be a long day for the Fighting Irish in the Cotton Bowl. Lawrence hasn’t been rattled much, if at all, his freshman season and because of Notre Dame’s offense that isn’t a quick-strike attack, Clemson could make another appearance in the National Championship Game.

“I give Clemson the edge,” Herbstreit said. “Notre Dame, their system doesn’t fit in this era of football we’re in where any game any of these offenses could score 40-50 points. They’re a bit more old school. Ian Book and Dexter Williams got it going together and became explosive and more balanced. They can give Clemson problems in the passing game. I see it being a closer game than people think but I think Clemson gets to the National Championship.”

If Clemson can fulfill Herbstreit’s vision, it’ll mark the second year in a row a true freshman quarterback has started for one of the teams in the championship. It’ll also mark the biggest stage for Lawrence of his promising career that could see him play in bigger stages at the next level.

First things first, Lawrence will look to join Jamelle Holieway as the only true freshman quarterbacks to start for a national title winner. Holieway accomplished the feat in 1985 with Oklahoma.

14 years later, Lawrence was born, and it feels like he was born just for these games and moments.