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Senior quarterback Clemson Kelly Bryant is transferring, he told Greenville News in an article published on Wednesday:
"I think that's what's best for me and for my future," Bryant said in an exclusive interview with The Greenville News. "I was just going to control what I could control and try to make the most of my opportunities, but in the end, I do not feel like I had a free kick."
The Tigers have named Trevor Lawrence, the No. 1 quarterback and first quarter QB rookie, for their game against Syracuse in Week 5, replacing Bryant, who had started since the start of the 2017 season. Bryant does not want to to be a backup, he told the newspaper:
"I thought, I do not discredit Trevor. He does everything he is asked to do, but for my part, I feel that I have done nothing to avoid being a starter. I have been here. I waited for my turn. I've done everything you've asked me to do, and more. "
Bryant did not practice Tuesday and had a touching conversation with Dabo Swinney, the Tigers head coach told reporters. Swinney did not ring like Bryant, but on Wednesday the quarterback said he would.
Bryant is the second Clemson high-profile player to be transferred since May 2018, when former five-star Hunter Johnson left the program to pick Northwestern. Lawrence's arrival has reshaped the entire depth map of the Tigers. The new quarterback of the Tigers will probably be Chase Brice, rookie of three stars in redshirt.
The transfer of Bryant is possible because of a new rule of the NCAA.
This rule states that players can play up to four games and not have to pay a season of eligibility. Bryant is in his last year of eligibility, but he has only played four times.
He is one of the few major program players to announce a start for another school after four games in the 2018 season – in an unexpected (but not necessarily) situation. wrong) side effect of a rule adopted by the NCAA to allow more new freshmen to enter the field.
Clemson could have kept Bryant for another week before announcing that Lawrence would take over. He would then have played five games and 2018 would be the last season of eligibility. A transfer would have been off the table.
To the credit of the Tigers, they seem to have been simple with their senior QB – who took them to playoff last year – instead of shaking him up.
"If it worried me or if I was wrong in a certain way, I could get the coaches together and say," Hey, let 's get it started for Syracuse. And like that he has no option. That's not how I act, "Swinney told reporters at his press conference on Tuesday. "We do not operate that way. I'm just trying to do what's right and I'm never going to excuse myself for that.
This quote might sound a bit like waiting, and Swinney really did the only decent thing here. But in a sport where coaches too often play with players' futures to meet their short-term needs, Clemson's handling of Bryant's situation is remarkable.
Bryant should be able to play next year at the school of his choice.
He will be a graduate transfer. The NCAA allows transfers to play immediately in their next school if they have graduated.
Wherever he goes, Bryant will be a catch for a team.
He is not Lawrence, one of the hottest rookies in history. But it is very good in itself and it could start with many FBS teams.
Bryant was rated 147 assists in four appearances in 2018, completing 35 of 53 assists (66%) for 8.6 yards per pitch, two touchdowns and one interception.
He ran 30 times for 144 yards and two more touchdowns. He is one of the best QB in the country not to break the ball, and his legs are an important asset in the good attack. They were an asset in Clemson office, and he was the best running back of the Tigers in 2017.
Clemson, of course, will be fine with Lawrence.
He is a star and the Tigers attack has accelerated in recent games with the rookie on the field. While they improved the ball against Texas A & M when Bryant was at the helm, they hummed more with Lawrence who led them in recent games:
In his first four appearances, all on the bench behind Bryant, Lawrence averaged 9.8 yards per attempt with nine touchdowns and two interceptions.
He is an elite talent, with a better casting ability than Bryant. If Lawrence stays healthy and plays roughly at his potential, he will likely be Clemson's quarterback until 2020 and will then become a high draft pick for NFL.
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