If there was still any real drama for Clemson fans, Trevor Lawrence put an official end to it on Wednesday, releasing a video on social media announcing that he would enter the NFL draft.
“My time here has been incredible, and I will be a Clemson Tiger forever,” said Lawrence in the video.
Thank you, Clemson … pic.twitter.com/JDbM8aYYGv
– Trevor Lawrence (@Trevorlawrencee) January 6, 2021
Lawrence took Clemson to a national championship as a freshman in 2018 and won his first 25 games for Tigers before falling to LSU in the game for last year’s title. He made the college football playoff all three years of his career at Clemson. He finished second in the Heisman vote announced on Tuesday, and is widely expected to be the No. 1 overall selection for the Jacksonville Jaguars in the 2021 NFL draft.
Clemson coach Dabo Swinney called Lawrence “the biggest winner I’ve ever had” and praised his QB for his work outside the field as well.
Lawrence helped organize a social justice movement in Clemson this summer and he was an integral part of the #WeWantToPlay movement that helped propel sport leaders to move forward with a college football season amid this year’s coronavirus pandemic.
“Looking back, I hope my legacy is that I was a great teammate and a great person in general, rather than how I played,” said Lawrence. “It’s how I treated people. I want it to be the main thing I’m known for.”
Lawrence initially told ESPN College GameDay in October that he planned to enter the draft, but later backtracked on that comment, saying “who knows” what the future holds, which has heightened speculation that he might return to school if he weren’t happy with the team that is likely to recruit you.
“I’m just trying to enjoy my last few months here, if that’s what I decide to do,” said Lawrence at the time. “I’m just trying to have fun and obviously I’m not trying to cause a stir. I don’t want anyone talking about me anymore, so my problem is that I’m never going to corner where I have to do something just because of something I said in the past. “
After testing positive for COVID-19 and losing Clemson’s games against Boston College and Notre Dame, Lawrence returned to lead the Tigers for a sixth consecutive ACC championship, before falling to the State of Ohio in the semifinal College Football Playoff last week .
Lawrence ends his Clemson career in third in the school’s history in passing yards (10,098) and second in TD passes (90).
“For all my teammates in the past three years, it was the most fun trip I have ever taken,” said Lawrence. “I will look back on these past three years and have the best memories.”