CLEMSON, S.C. — Clemson quarterback Kelly Bryant is leaving the third-ranked Tigers after freshman Trevor Lawrence was named starting quarterback this week.
Clemson coach Dabo Swinney announced Bryant’s intentions on Wednesday, two days after he picked Lawrence to start against Syracuse this weekend. Bryant had missed practice Monday and Tuesday.
Swinney said the two had an “emotional” discussion about the situation Monday. Swinney said then that Bryant did not mention his intent to transfer.
“They asked me how I felt about it,” Bryant told The Greenville News about his meeting with Swinney. “I was like, ‘I’m not discrediting Trevor. He’s doing everything asked of him, but on my side of it, I feel like I haven’t done anything to not be the starter. I’ve been here. I’ve waited my turn. I’ve done everything y’all have asked me to do, plus more. I’ve never been a distraction. I’ve never been in trouble with anything. To me, it was kind of a slap in the face.”
Bryant becomes the fourth quarterback to leave the Tigers since the enrollment of Lawrence, the country’s top prospect at his position, last winter.
Zerrick Cooper and Tucker Israel left in January. Hunter Johnson, a highly regarded prospect in the 2017 recruiting class, transferred to Northwestern after going through spring practice.
Lawrence has thrown for 600 yards and nine TDs.
