SAN JOSE, Calif. — When Dabo Swinney named Trevor Lawrence Clemson’s starting quarterback the Monday prior to the Syracuse game, ESPN sideline reporter and College GameDay co-host Maria Taylor questioned Swinney’s move.
In fact, she said Clemson was not a better team without Kelly Bryant on its roster.
Lawrence proved her wrong. The true freshman threw for 347 yards and three touchdowns, including 8-of-11 passing for 240 yards on third down in the Tigers’ 44-16 rout of Alabama in the College Football Playoff National Championship Game Monday at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif.
Lawrence is the first true freshman in 33 years to lead his team to a national championship.