CLEMSON QB IS LEAVING, BECAUSE HE CAN

Kelly Bryant quarterbacked the Tigers into the national semifinals last season. But now he has been beaten out for the job, and so he will take advantage of a relaxed NCAA redshirt rule.

Just days after it was announced that the Trevor Lawrence era is set to begin at Clemson, the Kelly Bryant era has officially come to an end.

Bryant, the former starting quarterback for the Tigers, is leaving the program, head coach Dabo Swinney confirmed on the ACC teleconference Wednesday morning.

The news first broke just before 10 a.m. Wednesday before Swinney confirmed it about an hour later.

“Obviously saddened and disappointed that he’s chosen to leave the team, but I really have absolutely nothing bad that I can say about Kelly Bryant,” Swinney said. “He’s one of the best young people that I’ve ever been around. Even though I don’t think this was a great decision I certainly respect it.”

The Greenville News first reported Bryant’s decision and discussed the choice with Bryant in an interview.

“I feel like it’s what’s best for me and my future,” Bryant told The Greenville News. “I was just going to control what I could control and try to make the most of my opportunity, but at the end of the day, I just don’t feel like I’ve gotten a fair shot.”

Swinney met with Bryant on Monday morning to discuss the coaching staff’s decision to name Lawrence the starter for Saturday’s game against Syracuse. Bryant did not practice Monday or Tuesday with Swinney saying Tuesday morning that he gave Bryant Monday off after an “emotional” talk.

On Wednesday Swinney refuted the notion that Bryant did not get a fair chance, stating that he was open and honest with him throughout the entire process.

Swinney added that he ultimately had to make the decision he believes is best for the team, and based on the first four games of the season he believes Lawrence deserves to start.

“He’s totally entitled to his opinion, but absolutely I think we’ve given him a fair shot,” Swinney said. “At the end of the day this is not middle school. There’s tough decisions that have to be made at this level and you’ve got to do what’s best for the team … There’s always gonna be people that are going to criticize the decision because maybe it didn’t go the way they wanted it to go or whatever. And that just comes with the territory.”

Swinney pointed out that this is not the first time a veteran has lost a starting job to a freshman during his time at Clemson.

Left tackle Mitch Hyatt started as a freshman, as did defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence and former quarterback Deshaun Watson.