Trevor Lawrence: “We want to be the best offense in the country"

Lawrence and Etienne are just two of the Tigers' many playmakers

by David Hood - Senior Writer - Mon Aug 26 15:34:17 GMT-04:00 2019

CLEMSON – Trevor Lawrence hopes Clemson’s offense will be the best in the country, but no one will know how good the offense will be until the games start.

Luckily, the Tigers and Lawrence don’t have to wait long to find out – Clemson opens the season Thursday night at 8 p.m. against Georgia Tech.

Lawrence has playmakers all over the field with running back Travis Etienne, receivers Justyn Ross, Frank Ladson, Tee Higgins, Joe Ngata, Amari Rodgers, Diondre Overton, and others and tight end targets like veteran J.C. Chalk and freshman Jaelyn Lay.

How good can the offense be?

“We want to be the best offense in the country. Not saying we are right now, we don’t really know,” Lawrence said Monday. “We haven’t really seen much football. We know we can get better so that is one of our goals and I think we have the talent to do that. So whether or not we do all of the things to achieve all of that is one thing but we definitely have the talent. And just our whole offense is a lot of experienced guys and we are pretty deep so we have a good offense.”

Lawrence can’t wait for the season opener.

“I’m really excited. It hadn't been a while since we’ve been practicing and working for a long time, but it’s going to be nice to play against some people that aren’t our own team,” Lawrence said. “You know, camp is just going against your guys everyday which makes us a lot better but it's going to be nice to channel that and go against a different team.

“We’re pumped. They have a new team and a new offense obviously. The whole program is different than it was last year, getting a new coach, getting a bunch of new coaches so we are excited. It’s going to be a challenge and we are excited for them to be coming in. It’s going to be game day and it’s going to be awesome.”

Lawrence not only has the veterans to throw to, but he also has the newcomers.

“Joe and Frank, and then we got Brannon (Spector). There’s a lot of guys, we got a new tight end Davis (Allen) and Jaelyn Lay,” Lawrence said. “So we have a lot of new guys that are great players and they are going to help us this year so it’s definitely been awesome to have them here. But we have so many good playmakers it’s nice being the quarterback and having options.”

Ngata has drawn rave reviews during camp and Lawrence said the California native never stops working.

“Just his work ethic. He’s always one of the last ones out here and even when he first got here he was like that,” Lawrence said. “He just wanted to learn, he’s really smart. And obviously you can just look at him and tell his body is a lot more mature than most people his age, so he’s been great. He’s picked up on the offense quickly and he’s been learning it all so I am excited to see him this year and see how he does.”

The coaching staff wants to use the running backs in the passing game more this season. Etienne struggled to catch the football last season but has worked hard on that part of his game.

“Yeah, with Travis, I think like in camp for half the practice we have been throwing and getting some routes and just working on his hands a little bit,” Lawrence said. “He’s done a great job of really coming to me and saying, 'Hey let’s get some throws after practice,' or whatever it may be and he’s worked really hard at that and has done a great job.”