What was already widely assumed became official on Wednesday when Clemson quarterback, and projected No. 1 overall pick, Trevor Lawrence announced he is entering the 2021 NFL Draft.
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Lawrence, who graduated in December with a degree in marketing, announced his decision in a video thanking the university and reflecting on his three years there. He started the video by talking about what he wants his legacy to be.
“Looking back on it, I hope my legacy at Clemson is that I was a great teammate and a great person overall, just more than football, more than how I played each game is just how I treated people,” Lawrence said. “I want that to be the main thing that I’m known for.”
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The 2020 ACC Player of the Year and Heisman Trophy runner-up leaves Clemson with a 34-2 record as a starter, three appearances in the College Football Playoff and a national championship. He is one of three quarterbacks in program history to pass for more than 10,000 yards.
More meaningful to Lawrence than his on-field success as a Tiger, though, is how he was supported in his walk with Christ by Dabo Swinney and his coaching staff.
“Everyone has been so good to me and treated me like family since I’ve gotten here, and that faith aspect has really been the most important thing in my life,” Lawrence said.
His attention now turns to the NFL draft, which is scheduled to begin on April 29 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Jacksonville Jaguars are expected to take Lawrence first overall.
In the video, he identified the ways in which Clemson has prepared him for the next chapter of his life as the most impactful part of his college experience.
“When I look at my life as a whole so far, just this journey of 21 years, the most formative years have been my time here at Clemson,” Lawrence said. “Like I said, it’s taught me how to be a better man, no doubt. That’s the biggest takeaway, really. Obviously, it’s made me a better football player but that’s kind of secondary to what it’s taught me about life and I really feel like I’m a man now and I’m ready to take on those challenges and just super excited for life ahead.”
He also thanked his immediate family, saying, “I can’t wait to see what God has next for us.”
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