Likely Jaguars selection, Clemson QB Trevor Lawrence officially declares

Another domino has fallen in the Jaguars’ efforts to reshape their franchise as the perceived No. 1 overall selection in the 2021 NFL Draft, Clemson Tigers quarterback Trevor Lawrence has officially announced his intentions to enter the draft, foregoing his senior season at Clemson.

The Jaguars enter April’s draft with the No. 1 overall pick, the first time the franchise will be picking first in its history. With that, Jacksonville is expected to select Lawrence who has been perceived as the eventual first overall selection since his freshman year at Clemson.

At Clemson, Lawrence reached the College Football Playoffs in all three years, winning the National Championship one time during his freshman season in 2018. He has reached the National Championship Game one other time in his career, in 2019, before being defeated by the LSU Tigers and Joe Burrow, the eventual 2020 No. 1 overall pick.

On Jan. 1, the Clemson quarterback played Ohio State in the Cotton Bowl, however he and the Tigers were defeated 49-28, unable to overcome the Buckeyes’ potent offense with the direction of the perceived second-best quarterback in the 2021 NFL Draft in Justin Fields.

While Lawrence was unable to mount a comeback during just his second loss as a starting quarterback in college, he was able to be productive. On the day, Lawrence completed 33 out of 48 of his passes for 400 yards, two touchdowns and one interception.

In his career, Lawrence completed 758 of his passes with a completion percentage of 66.6%. He was able to toss 10,098 yards, 90 touchdowns and just 17 interceptions in 40 games. According to Pro Football Focus, Lawrence has never netted a grade under 90.7, earning his lowest grade in 2018, while posting grades of 91.1 and 91.2 in 2019 and 2020, respectively.

Losing 15 games this season, the Jaguars positioned themselves to have the best pick in the draft, and with Lawrence’s official declaration, it is becoming increasingly likely he will be suiting up in Black and Teal on Sundays very soon. The Jaguars will continue their search for a new GM and HC, after they let go of head coach Doug Marrone on Monday, former GM Dave Caldwell in late November.