'Real deal' Trevor Lawrence shined at Jaguars minicamp
CLEMSON — Certain expectations come when an NFL franchise has the No. 1 overall pick. The Jacksonville Jaguars need Trevor Lawrence to be a star.
The top selection has now been an NFL quarterback for two months as the Jaguars franchise is hopeful to go from AFC South doormat to Super Bowl contenders. So far, things seem to be going as planned down in Duval County.
NFL analyst Bucky Brooks likes what the former No. 1 overall recruit has brought with him to the next level.
“Whenever you draft a quarterback No. 1 overall, you want to see daily flashes that confirm his status as a blue-chip prospect with the potential to emerge as an elite player,” writes Brooks. “Lawrence not only checks the box as an exceptional talent with A-plus arm talent, athleticism and skills but he is a polished player with a refined game that could enable him to play at a high level as a rookie.”
That should come as no surprise. A program cornerstone at Clemson, Lawrence accumulated a 34-2 record as a starter with the Tigers as the Metro Atlanta native accounted for 108 touchdowns in his career and never lost an ACC game. The ballyhooed recruit and player is just built differently than others.
Trevor Lawrence was the No. 1 overall pick for a reason. (Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
“He’s a really special talent when it comes to throwing the football,” said Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney. “Then when you get to know him and you understand how he’s wired, how he loves to prepare, loves to compete, it’s fun to watch. It really is.”
The Jaguars are now starting to get a glimpse of that. At minicamp, the players and coaches got a chance to work with each other for a few days. Lawrence is clearly beginning to live up to the hype that was created during his career at Clemson and in the pre-draft process.
“The Clemson product put on a spectacular performance at minicamp that makes it easy to envision him blossoming into a Top 5 quarterback,” writes Brooks. “From his pinpoint ball placement on back-shoulder fades to his unique ability to fit balls into tight windows on rope-like throws, Lawrence is an MLB pitcher with every pitch in his bag.”
Lawrence feels like the favorite to win NFL Rookie of the Year honors in 2021 and that should come as no surprise. The former Clemson quarterback is the real deal in every aspect.
The Jaguars have a bright future ahead with the No. 1 overall pick running the offense.