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The No. 3 Clemson Tigers (4-0, 1-0 ACC) started the season with coach Dabo Swinney working through a quarterback saga between five-star former Army All-American freshman Trevor Lawrence and last year’s starter Kelly Bryant. The competition spilled over the first four games of the season and ended Wednesday with Bryant announcing he would be transferring from Clemson after Lawrence was named the starter.
Bryant started the past 18 games, but was informed of being demoted in favor of Lawrence on Monday. He threw for 2,802 yards and accounted for 24 total touchdowns during last year’s College Football Playoff run that ended with Clemson’s 24-6 loss in the Sugar Bowl to Alabama.
“I feel like it’s what’s best for me and my future,” Bryant told Charlotte Observer’s Rick Bonnell. “I was just going to control what I could control and try to make most of my opportunity but at the end of the day I just don’t feel like I’ve gotten a fair shot”
“Everyone’s here to talk about what we’ve already talked about. I don’t know what else we can add other than to move on, he’s a great man and we support him, even though we don’t necessarily agree with him.” -Dabo Swinney on Kelly Bryant’s transfer pic.twitter.com/mStTHQIRqq
— Hannah Rogerson (@Rogerson1Hannah) September 27, 2018
Maybe Bryant’s next opportunity is waiting for him in Boulder. Not over-the-edge crazy to think CU wouldn’t benefit from having Bryant compete for a starting job, and under the right set of circumstances is a perfect fit. If Buffs QB Steven Montez has a banner year and opts for the NFL Draft early, Bryant walks into an offensive setup unlike any presented to him at Clemson.
Multiple receiving threats in Laviska Shenault, K.D. Nixon, Tony Brown and Jaylon Jackson, along with an offensive scheme fit for his skillset. Bryant would also be paired with quarterback coach Kurt Roper, who tried recruiting him while at Florida. Montez is a dual-threat quarterback, but not the same way Bryant incorporates it as part of his game. He’s the type of athlete that’s perfectly suited for offensive coordinators Darrin Chiaverini and Klayton Adams, and a nightmare for the rest of the Pac-12 to prepare against.
With the entire college football world outside of Clemson waiting, no word if Bryant is going to graduate before deciding where to transfer.