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ACC QUESTION of the WEEK : Which NFL quarterback, past or present, does Clemson’s Trevor Lawrence remind you of?
I have to be honest: No single comparison jumped off the page last season. Maybe a stronger comparison will emerge this season.
A key point to remember is that Clemson’s talent at the other 10 offensive positions on the field is so much greater than most opposing defenses. Notre Dame’s defense was legitimately tough in the Cotton Bowl College Football Playoff semifinal, but Alabama’s defense was a paper tiger in the national championship game. Tosh Lupoi was no match for Clemson’s offensive coordinators. Alabama’s defense was no match for Clemson’s offense.
Lawrence is strong and athletic. Brainy quarterbacks such as Joe Montana and Tom Brady aren’t good comparisons. Steve Young was a lethal scrambler, far faster than Lawrence. Ben Roethlisberger is big and strong, but I haven’t seen Lawrence wiggle out of sacks the way Big Ben does when playing at his best.
Patrick Mahomes — like Brett Favre — makes one-of-a-kind improvisational plays.
If you have a perfect comparison, let me know. I will watch this season and try to get a better comparison.
@TalkinACCSports weighs in –
I thought this would be an easy question, but in reality it is not. Trevor Lawrence is such a unique talent that many say had he come out as a freshman he would have been the first player taken in the NFL Draft. Andrew Luck was highly regarded coming out of Stanford, but seems closer to the aforementioned Joe Montana and Tom Brady.
John Elway also out of Stanford was labeled a can’t miss NFL prospect in the famed QB class of 1983. I’m not sure Lawrence has his mobility. Elway had a cannon for an arm, but could be a bit inaccurate at times. Dan Marino of the same 1983 group? Lawrence doesn’t seem to have that kind of lightening quick release of Marino.
If I’m forced to make a comparison, at the moment – it’s Peyton Manning. Both Manning and Lawrence are tall QB’s over 6’5, who are poised in the pocket. They seem to have the ability to make any throw required of them. They don’t have Elway’s mobility, but could move around better than you think.
One common trait all these great QB’s have is they are winners, and Lawrence certainly seems to be on that trajectory even at this early stage in his football career.
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