Clemson freshman Trevor Lawrence would be No. 1 pick in 2019 NFL Draft if eligible

Trevor Lawrence proved that even as a true freshman, he’s ready for the big stage. Though Lawrence isn’t eligible for the NFL Draft until 2021, he’s shown he’d be the top prospect in this year’s class, too.

Less than a year ago, Trevor Lawrence was just another high school kid. Sure enough, being the top recruit in the Class of 2018 and the eighth overall recruit in 247Sports history brings a whole different level of stardom, but for other purposes, Lawrence was just an average kid at Cartersville High in Cartersville, GA.

Now he’s an icon after earning offensive MVP honors after leading Clemson to the National Championship with a dominating performance against Alabama and would be the No. 1 pick in the 2019 NFL Draft if he was eligible. He’ll have to wait two more years for that to happen, but Lawrence left no doubt about his star power after lighting up Alabama in the National Championship.

Against Alabama, Lawrence threw for 327 yards and three touchdowns without an interception and looked poised beyond his years as he dissected Nick Saban’s vaunted defense. Lawrence hasn’t shied away from the spotlight of the big game, and the 6-6, 215-pounder with long blonde hair has the look of a future franchise quarterback.

Lawrence has shown he has the leadership traits, athletic ability and football IQ to play at the highest level, right now. He would more than deserve to be the first player drafted in the 2019 NFL Draft that doesn’t feature a sure-fire quarterback at the top. Defensive linemen are projected to go No. 1 with Quinnen Williams and Nick Bosa vying for that honor.

Lawrence would be picked ahead of both and the general manager who had that pick wouldn’t even need to think twice about it. Lawrence is going to be a future All-Pro in the NFL and compete for Super Bowls. He’s the best prospect since Andrew Luck and might be the best since Peyton Manning.

Teams will be positioning themselves to tank and get the No. 1 pick in 2021.

From playing quarterback in high school for a town with just over 20,000 people to a national superstar, the rise has begun for Trevor Lawrence.