Clemson’s QB battle still far from decided

CLEMSON, S.C. — For those expecting clarity on Clemson’s quarterback question after the Tigers’ first scrimmage of this preseason, forget it. Incumbent Kelly Bryant and newcomer Trevor Lawrence both played well Saturday in a strong performance for Clemson’s offense.

“I tell everybody, I’d hate to be (quarterbacks coach) Brandon Streeter,” tight end Milan Richard said. “We’ve got guys who can play.”

Just who should play most for the Tigers, who are expected to romp through the Atlantic Coast Conference and into the College Football Playoff again, is a continuing debate.

Bryant is a 6-foot-4, 220pound senior who stepped in for national championship-winning quarterback Deshaun Watson a year ago and led the Tigers to a 12-2 mark and their third straight ACC title and CFP trip. Lawrence is a 6-5, 205-pound, strong-armed freshman who broke Watson’s Georgia high school records for passing yards and touchdowns.

Both played well in the scrimmage, when Bryant started things off with a 70-yard scoring drive and Lawrence followed with another scoring series.

“The offense had a great day,” Tigers coach Dabo Swinney said. “It’s good to see us throw and catch like we did today. Kelly set the tempo with the opening drive, big plays. Then Trevor came in and took it and went with it, big plays.”

Despite the team’s success last season, there were plenty of critics of Clemson’s offense and Bryant’s run-first style, which contrasted greatly with how Watson threw the ball all over the field the previous three years. The shouts were loudest after Clemson was stuffed by Alabama’s defense in a 24-6 CFP semifinal loss at the Sugar Bowl that knocked the Tigers from title contention.

Bryant has proven durable and essential, though — Clemson’s lone loss during the 2017 regular season came when he was knocked out with a concussion in the second quarter at Syracuse. The Tigers had the following week off, and Bryant returned to play the rest of the season.

Lawrence electrified fans at the spring game in April by completing a 50-yard touchdown pass to Tee Higgins on his second snap.

The competition continued daily at practice the past week. Bryant has performed strongly, Swinney said, while Lawrence is learning the throws he made consistently in high school don’t always work in college.

“We’ve got a long way to go,” Swinney said.