Clemson football: Trevor Lawrence declares for 2021 NFL Draft

Trevor Lawrence wisely leaves the Clemson football team to enter the 2021 NFL Draft.

As a surprise to absolutely no one, Clemson football star Trevor Lawrence has decided to forgo his final year of collegiate eligibility and enter the upcoming 2021 NFL Draft.

Lawrence sent out a video message the day after finishing as the 2020 Heisman Trophy runner-up to Alabama wide receiver DeVonta Smith about his intentions to turn pro. In three years at Clemson, Lawrence will have earned his degree, won three College Football Playoff games and won a national title as a freshman back in 2018. He is ready for the next part of his football life.

Trevor Lawrence will look good in Black and Teal

Lawrence is the consensus No. 1 overall draft prospect in 2021. He is expected to be the first pick in the upcoming draft by the Jacksonville Jaguars, a team in dire need of some offensive spark and an identity. After beating the division rival Indianapolis Colts in Week 1, Jacksonville lost its final 15 games to finish with the worst record in football. Lawrence declaring means he will be a Jaguar.

Though there will be some push for Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields to be the No. 1 pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, especially if former Buckeyes head coach Urban Meyer takes over for Doug Marrone in North Florida, anybody who passes on Lawrence truly will be passing on Michael Jordan. Lawrence is the closest thing we have seen to John Elway as a quarterback draft prospect.

Even if Jacksonville makes the worst decision in franchise history and passes on Lawrence at No. 1, he will fall no further than the flightless New York Jets at No. 2. Lawrence, Fields or possibly BYU Cougars quarterback Zach Wilson will be the first two players taking off the board this spring. While Lawrence turning pro was expected, it is now D.J. Uiagalelei’s time as the Clemson starter.

Lawrence looks to be Jacksonville’s version of what Peyton Manning was for Indianapolis.

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