CLEMSON FOOTBALL

Lawrence is a front-runner for the Heisman in 2019
Lawrence is a front-runner for the Heisman in 2019

Tagovailoa picked over Lawrence in Top 50 rankings


by - Assoc. Editor -

Clemson will have several high-profile players selected in the upcoming 2019 NFL Draft. However, that doesn't mean the cupboard was left bare as the team is still loaded with talented players.

Athlon Sports released their rankings of the Top 50 returning players for 2019 and five Tigers were included.

Clemson signal-caller Trevor Lawrence was ranked No. 2 overall behind Alabama's Tua Tagovailoa. This is not a typo. Despite Lawrence outplaying Tagovailoa in the title game, Lawrence is behind him in the 2019 rankings.

"Lawrence and Alabama’s Tua Tagovailoa are really 1A and 1B in this ranking," Athlon Sports said. "As a true freshman in 2018, Lawrence helped to guide Clemson to the national championship by throwing for 3,280 yards and 30 touchdowns to just four picks even though he didn't start the season as the starter. With a strong supporting cast in place at receiver and a full offseason to work as the starter, Lawrence is primed for even bigger things in 2019."

Clemson running back Travis Etienne was ranked No. 4 overall and the second-best running back behind Wisconsin's Jonathan Taylor.

"Etienne had only 204 rushing attempts last season, but he certainly made the most of those opportunities," Athlon Sports said. "En route to winning ACC Player of the Year honors, Etienne rushed for 1,658 yards and 24 touchdowns – averaging a robust 8.1 yards per carry."

Clemson receivers Tee Higgins/Justyn Ross were ranked as a combo at No. 21 overall.

"The duo of Higgins and Ross will be one of the nation’s most dynamic pairings at receiver," Athlon Sports said. "These two players combined for 1,936 receiving yards and 21 touchdown catches last year. Ross averaged a healthy 21.7 yards per catch, while Higgins paced the Clemson offense with 59 receptions."

A fairly low ranking by Athlon Sports as both players totally took over the title game against Alabama.

Clemson defensive end Xavier Thomas was ranked No. 23 overall.

"With Clelin Ferrell, Dexter Lawrence, Christian Wilkins, and Austin Bryant off to the NFL, coordinator Brent Venables will have to restock the line this spring," Athlon Sports said. "That’s not a problem considering the track record of success in the trenches recently at Clemson, along with Thomas’ play in limited snaps last year. The five-star recruit recorded 10.5 tackles for a loss and 3.5 sacks as a freshman in 2018 and should thrive with a full allotment of snaps."

Isaiah Simmons was listed in a group of players that barely missed the Top 50.

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Subject (Replies: 67) Author
spacer TNET: Tagovailoa picked over Lawrence in Top 50 rankings
TigerNet News®
spacer Re: TNET: Tagovailoa picked over Lawrence in Top 50 rankings
TigersO
spacer Re: TNET: Tagovailoa picked over Lawrence in Top 50 rankings
AfricanTiger
spacer Re: TNET: Tagovailoa picked over Lawrence in Top 50 rankings
ddclemson
spacer Re: TNET: Tagovailoa picked over Lawrence in Top 50 rankings
irmotig®
spacer Re: TNET: Tagovailoa picked over Lawrence in Top 50 rankings
jbwhiteside84
spacer Re: TNET: Tagovailoa picked over Lawrence in Top 50 rankings
74TIGER
spacer When do WE Stop Listening to these Unprofessional Jerks?!?!
lightbulbbill®
spacer Re: TNET: Tagovailoa picked over Lawrence in Top 50 rankings
TS_Tiger
spacer Bama's gotta win at something, I guess.***
clemchem®
spacer Re: Bama's gotta win at something, I guess.***
rhettfla
spacer Re: Bama's gotta win at something, I guess.***
ddclemson
spacer Re: Bama's gotta win at something, I guess.***
SeeVuPlay
spacer Don't forget minnows!***
Lakedude®
spacer That was unpredictable.
ClemsonTiger1988®
spacer SMH***
Fordtunate Son
spacer Re: TNET: Tagovailoa picked over Lawrence in Top 50 rankings
RaleighTiger1
spacer Re: TNET: Tagovailoa picked over Lawrence in Top 50 rankings
ddclemson
spacer Re: TNET: Tagovailoa picked over Lawrence in Top 50 rankings
Ucel74
spacer Re: TNET: Tagovailoa picked over Lawrence in Top 50 rankings
ddclemson
spacer Re: TNET: Tagovailoa picked over Lawrence in Top 50 rankings
leftie
spacer Re: TNET: Tagovailoa picked over Lawrence in Top 50 rankings
njones63
spacer Utterly ridiculous BS!***
TGRRAG
spacer Pic taken of Lawrence when he got that news?*
TIGERI
spacer Why bother?
Reckless96®
spacer Re: Why bother?
fencebusters®
spacer Tua's transferring?
Salty55®
spacer Re: Why bother?
brrntaylor
spacer Re: Why bother?
TigerinCarolina
spacer Re: Why bother?
brrntaylor
spacer Must have been the "Alabama Factor" that influenced the vote***
Fordtunate Son
spacer Re: TNET: Tagovailoa picked over Lawrence in Top 50 rankings
TigerCFA
spacer Re: TNET: Tagovailoa picked over Lawrence in Top 50 rankings
RickyC78
spacer Yawn. They won't be the only ones to rate Tua higher***
TigersAndCubs
spacer Re: TNET: Tagovailoa picked over Lawrence in Top 50 rankings
Tigersbkr
spacer Whats crazy is...i was thinking back to TL's season last yr
El Tigre 1
spacer Re: TNET: Tagovailoa picked over Lawrence in Top 50 rankings
kctigs81®
spacer If we just had a chance to play Alabama, head-to-head,
Smiling Tiger®
spacer Bama QB +receivers better than Clemson QB + receivers
Harley®
spacer Maybe next time, we run up the score at the end instead
Smiling Tiger®
spacer Re: Maybe next time, we run up the score at the end instead
HumbleServant®
spacer Re: TNET: Tagovailoa picked over Lawrence in Top 50 rankings
grandsonoftherock
spacer Re: TNET: Tagovailoa picked over Lawrence in Top 50 rankings
b2westfarm
spacer Athlon has to satisfy advertisers. If they told the truth,
ATL PAW MAN®
spacer Tua throws less 50/50 balls even when getting beat by 4 TDs
ClemsonGville
spacer Don't care;
CUTiger1989®
spacer Yawn... would I rather WIN an national championship or
TIGERFANN
spacer So Tagovailoa picked again! That’s 3 times in recent history***
TigerCook®
spacer Re: So Tagovailoa picked again! That’s 3 times in recent history***
HumbleServant®
spacer Athlon has always been kinda crappy....
TopDeckSouth®
spacer Re: TNET: Tagovailoa picked over Lawrence in Top 50 rankings
SocMan2®
spacer Re: TNET: Tagovailoa picked over Lawrence in Top 50 rankings
saddis56®
spacer ESPN is actually starting to turn a little orange
homeslice1479
spacer Hey! Y’all wanna hear a joke?...
CUTigerFanInKy
spacer Re: TNET: Tagovailoa picked over Lawrence in Top 50 rankings
pawsrule4evr
spacer Re: TNET: Tagovailoa picked over Lawrence in Top 50 rankings
Clemsonaustin
spacer Re: TNET: Tagovailoa picked over Lawrence in Top 50 rankings
7173TIGER®
spacer Re: TNET: Tagovailoa picked over Lawrence in Top 50 rankings
92TigerJohn
spacer Re: TNET: Tagovailoa picked over Lawrence in Top 50 rankings
Mogambu®
spacer Re: TNET: Tagovailoa picked over Lawrence in Top 50 rankings
pointcove
spacer Re: TNET: Tagovailoa picked over Lawrence in Top 50 rankings
TigerzzRoar®
spacer Re: TNET: Tagovailoa picked over Lawrence in Top 50 rankings
MackDaddy®
spacer Re: TNET: Tagovailoa picked over Lawrence in Top 50 rankings
mamatigercola
spacer It must be the Alabama factor
haynous®
spacer I'm pretty sure there
Salty55®
spacer Write This Down Tua Will Not Be Anywhere Near The NFL QB
morbidtiger®
spacer Re: TNET: Tagovailoa picked over Lawrence in Top 50 rankings
VitG65
spacer Watching that ETN video, I'm noticing a trend
Stuppyhead®