CLEMSON FOOTBALL

Swinney says the QB competition in camp was fun and he's ready to see how it unfolds over the season.
Swinney says the QB competition in camp was fun and he's ready to see how it unfolds over the season.

Dabo Swinney talks Clemson QB starter decision


by - Staff Writer -

Clemson officially announced its starter at quarterback for Saturday’s opener with Furman (12:20, ACC Network) by releasing its depth chart Monday morning.

Returning starter and graduate student Kelly Bryant won out in camp over former 5-star prospect Trevor Lawrence and redshirt freshman Chase Brice, who were listed No. 2 and No. 3 respectively on the depth chart.

Tigers head coach Dabo Swinney was asked on his call-in show Monday about the similarities to his QB situation in 2014, where Cole Stoudt was initially the starter and Deshaun Watson eventually took over.

“It’s different circumstances and a different competitive situation...The similarity is out of camp it’s pretty close,” Swinney said. “The only option we have is to go to the game. Where we are, Kelly has earned the right to be the starter. I always laugh when people (say) that we just give people stuff. It’s just laughable. We wouldn’t last very long here if that was the case. You have to earn it. And especially if you’re a young guy trying to beat out a starter.

“I have no problem with that but you’ve got to earn it. Kelly has earned the right to be the starter, but Trevor has earned the right to play and continue to compete. It’s going to be exciting to see.”

Swinney says both handled the depth chart news well.

“It’s such a breath of fresh air to sit down with these guys,” he said. “You talk about the epitome of selflessness and class and character and team and guys who are obviously highly competitive but really respect each other. Game knows game. Kelly has had an unbelievable camp. He is not even close to where he was at this time last year. And a big reason for that - obviously he is more experienced and he’s done it and had success and failure - but the presence of Trevor and how Trevor has come in and worked.

“You have to give Trevor a lot of credit because you don’t know until you coach these guys how they will absorb things. He’s a very sharp kid.”

All that said, Swinney reiterated that this week’s depth chart doesn’t seal anything for the season.

“As I’ve said, I thought both would end up playing as we continue to go to the games,” Swinney said. “So we’ll see. Kelly doesn’t have a 12-game contract to be the starter. And Trevor doesn’t have a 12-game contract to continue to deserve to play. You have to play well and you have to practice well and continue to handle yourself the right way. The best case scenario is they both play well and there really is no reason why they shouldn’t...It’s going to be awesome to see them go compete. Chase Brice isn’t far behind...It’s a very healthy situation.”

He says the whole decision-making process was fun.

"It wasn't real hard on me or (Brandon Streeter)," Swinney said. "It was hard on the players because they have to go put the work in. It was fun actually because it was awesome because it was one of the best camps ever at the quarterback position. Not just KB and Trevor, but Chase Brice as well. I'm just so encouraged by what I saw out on the practice field. We grade everything and evaluate everything. We evaluate every script and every team period - everything. It's not just passing game. It's run-game decisions. It's the whole deal.

"Kelly came out a little on top. If that doesn't matter, then why do you grade everything? That's where we were. We just went through the process and had no idea how it was going to go."

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Subject (Replies: 24) Author
spacer TNET: Dabo Swinney talks Clemson QB starter decision
TigerNet News®
spacer Re: TNET: Dabo Swinney talks Clemson QB starter decision
Jessy89
spacer Re: TNET: Dabo Swinney talks Clemson QB starter decision
M2
spacer The trolls
TigerCC®
spacer More coach speak as we expected, nothing to see here.
Judge Keller®
spacer Re: More coach speak as we expected, nothing to see here.
Marine4Life®
spacer I disagree. He spoke directly to the "you give it to the senior"
soywaker®
spacer There was an objective grading process. KB won. That's
Completely Solid Orange
spacer Re: TNET: Dabo Swinney talks Clemson QB starter decision
JWT_CU5
spacer Re: TNET: Dabo Swinney talks Clemson QB starter decision
HumbleServant®
spacer Re: TNET: Dabo Swinney talks Clemson QB starter decision
Iron4044®
spacer Re: TNET: Dabo Swinney talks Clemson QB starter decision
Iron4044®
spacer Re: TNET: Dabo Swinney talks Clemson QB starter decision
Jhop83
spacer Re: TNET: Dabo Swinney talks Clemson QB starter decision
Tigerman1978
spacer He did say specifically that they graded practice film
Noodle
spacer Re: He did say specifically that they graded practice film
Jhop83
spacer It. Does. Not. Matter. He graded higher overall. That’s all that matters.
Noodle
spacer Key difference from Stoudt/Watson is
ColaTownTiger
spacer Nice arm slot in that photo.***
ClemsonTiger1988®
spacer KB and TL is different than CS and DW.
Completely Solid Orange
spacer Re: KB and TL is different than CS and DW.
mpercy®
spacer Re: KB and TL is different than CS and DW.
Rswanson
spacer Re: TNET: Dabo Swinney talks Clemson QB starter decision
kerigantoo
spacer And you will see TL 3 yrs barring injury ...
SocMan2®
spacer Re: And you will see TL 3 yrs barring injury ...
runman