Clemson football Head Coach Dabo Swinney announced that QB Kelly Bryant has officially won the starting position and gave the depth chart behind him.
Clemson football has officially announced its’ starter at quarterback for the season opener against Kent State.
Tiger coach Dabo Swinney announced after practice that junior gunslinger Kelly Bryant had earned the starting position after a heated competition between him and freshmen Zerrick Cooper and Hunter Johnson.
Swinney notes Bryant’s consistency and leadership as two reasons that he was named the starter.
Here’s what Dabo had to say about Kelly Bryant on Monday.
"“We have named Kelly (Bryant) the starter,” Swinney said via Tony Crumpton of Tigernet. “He’s earned it. He’s going to be our starter and we are excited about that. I’m really proud of Kelly first of all. If you guys (only) knew how precise we are in our grading and evaluation and the things we put these guys through. This has been a great competition. I’m really proud of all the guys because they are just good people. I love to see competitors and they all want to be the guy but I love to see them happy for somebody else. It’s been a really good spirited competition but this part of the competition is over and Kelly won it. Just that simple. He won it. Grades have to count. Everything matters and I’m really proud of him.”"
According to Dabo, Kelly Bryant just won the job fair and square.
It’s great to see that Bryant came out ready and prepared to go. He, from all accounts, has been the most consistent quarterback across the board for Clemson football this season throughout fall camp.
It’s something that you have to trust the coaching staff with and realize that they know exactly what they are doing.
If Bryant can be accurate and, honestly, just average in the passing game, his running game is prolific enough for him to carry the Tigers to wins against the elite programs of College Football. Bryant is 222 solid pounds and has the ability to take on some hits and be a bruiser, especially in those 3rd and 2 situations.
Swinney also announced the pecking order behind Kelly Bryant. He said that redshirt freshman Zerrick Cooper is the No. 2 guy and true-freshman Hunter Johnson is No. 3.
Clemson makes it official. Kelly Bryant has been named the starter. Cooper No. 2, Johnson No. 3.
— Grace Raynor (@gmraynor) August 22, 2017
This means against Kent State, we will see Cooper take the field off the bench first and then Johnson at some point, most likely, in the second half.
Next: Clemson Opponent Preview 2017: Florida State
Both of these guys are great players and still have a chance to earn playing time before the season is over, especially if Bryant can’t get the job done early. This is really no surprise, as we predicted this just a couple of days ago, but it does give Clemson football a clear direction going forward as they begin to focus on the opponents for the upcoming season.
What’s your thoughts, Tiger fans? Do you think the coaches made the right decision? Is Kelly Bryant ready to be “the man?” Comment below!