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2018 Clemson Football Positional Grades: Quarterbacks

By Shawn Spencer

ARLINGTON, TEXAS - DECEMBER 29: Trevor Lawrence #16 of the Clemson Tigers gestures in the first half against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish during the College Football Playoff Semifinal Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic at AT&T Stadium on December 29, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TEXAS - DECEMBER 29: Trevor Lawrence #16 of the Clemson Tigers gestures in the first half against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish during the College Football Playoff Semifinal Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic at AT&T Stadium on December 29, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /
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Today we begin our coverage of reviewing the 2018 Clemson football season. We’ll start with our grades of the quarterback position.

Everyday this week, we’ll be continuing our series on positional grades for the 2018 Clemson football season.

The Tigers finished up 2018 as one of the best teams to ever play. Clemson was the first team in the modern era to finish 15-0 and the Tigers defeated the Alabama Crimson Tide 44-16 in the National Championship game to win the program’s third ever Natty.

Today, we’ll begin our look back at each position group by beginning with the quarterbacks.

Quarterback Report Card:

The quarterback position for Clemson football is pretty unique. The Tigers started the 2018 season with Kelly Bryant at quarterback.

He began splitting time with true-freshman Trevor Lawrence. Four games into the season, Lawrence won the starting position and Bryant chose to transfer out. Of course, that also bumped up redshirt freshman Chase Brice from third string to second-string.

He’d be needed because in Trevor Lawrence’s first game as a starter, he’d go out injured. Brice came into the game and was notably shaken at first.

After an excellent grab from Hunter Renfrow, Brice settled into the game and led the Tigers to a come-from-behind victory. It all culminated with his beautiful throw on fourth down to Tee Higgins that kept the game alive.

Trevor Lawrence came back from his injury the following week and continued to improve.

All of that led to him being named the Offensive MVP in the Cotton Bowl against Notre Dame and the same award was given to him in the National Championship game against the Alabama Crimson Tide.

Season Stat Leaders:

Trevor Lawrence: 259-of-398 (65.1 percent) for 3,280 yards. 30 TDs, 4 INTs. 8.2 yards per attempt; 157.2 QB Rating.

Chase Brice: 32-of-51 (62.7 percent) for 442 yards. 5 TDs, 3 INTs. 8.0 yards per attempt; 156.1 QB Rating.

Overall Grade:

Overall, I’ve got to give this group an A. Trevor Lawrence was absolutely phenomenal, especially in the postseason when the Tigers needed him most.

You saw Lawrence group before your eyes, there’s no doubt in my mind.

I really enjoyed watching him progress as a leader and becoming more and more confident in his teammates as they gained chemistry throughout the season.

Next. What's left for Clemson in the 2019 cycle?. dark

You also have to tip your cap to Chase Brice. Without him, the Tigers aren’t even in the CFB Playoff. Brice did an excellent job as the backup quarterback and I look forward to seeing both of these guys here in 2019.

QB Grade: A

Make sure you check back here on Rubbing the Rock for the rest of our positional grades throughout the week and much more.

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