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Clemson Football: Could Kelly Bryant be the second-best QB in the SEC?

By Shawn Spencer

CLEMSON, SC - SEPTEMBER 01: Quarterback Kelly Bryant #2 of the Clemson Tigers attempts a pass during the first quarter of the Tigers' football game against the Furman Paladins at Clemson Memorial Stadium on September 1, 2018 in Clemson, South Carolina. (Photo by Mike Comer/Getty Images)
CLEMSON, SC - SEPTEMBER 01: Quarterback Kelly Bryant #2 of the Clemson Tigers attempts a pass during the first quarter of the Tigers' football game against the Furman Paladins at Clemson Memorial Stadium on September 1, 2018 in Clemson, South Carolina. (Photo by Mike Comer/Getty Images) /
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Could former Clemson football quarterback Kelly Bryant be the second best QB in the SEC this coming season? There’s certainly a chance for him to prove himself.

When you think about SEC quarterbacks for the 2019 season, there’s really only one name that comes to mind.

Alabama’s Tua Tagovailoa is currently the odds favorite to win the 2019 Heisman Trophy. Tagovailoa will be competing with Clemson football’s Trevor Lawrence for the title of best QB in the nation, and right now Lawrence has the inside track.

But, outside of the national race, there’s an interesting trend taking place with quarterbacks and the Clemson football program.

Trevor Lawrence proved to be the best QB option for the Tigers. Because of Lawrence entering the Clemson football program, several quarterbacks decided to transfer.

Among them include Kelly Bryant, Hunter Johnson and Zerrick Cooper. It’s amazing that all three of these quarterbacks are projected starters for their respective programs heading into 2019: Kelly Bryant with Missouri; Hunter Johnson with Northwestern; and Zerrick Cooper with Jacksonville State.

As we look at the SEC as a whole, there’s a good chance that Kelly Bryant isn’t just a starter, but that he proves to be the second-best quarterback in the league.

Who’s his competition?

After Tagovailoa, there is really only a handful of quarterbacks that really have an opportunity to be that second-team All-SEC quarterback. Jake Fromm (Georgia), Kellen Mond (Texas A&M) and Joe Burrow (LSU) are the three main quarterbacks that will provide competition to Bryant.

Fromm is projected by many to be the first pick in next year’s NFL Draft. He’s going to have to improve exponentially for that to happen, in my opinion. Mond and Bryant are similar players, though Mond is the better passer of the football.

dark. Next. Clemson ranked No. 2 in preseason poll

The key for Bryant is the fact that he doesn’t much competition. Playing in the SEC East, Bryant will have a chance to develop and play against a few defenses without much athleticism from sideline-to-sideline. He’ll be able to use his legs to his advantage, but he’ll still need to improve as a passer.

Bryant has struggled in the passing game. That must change for him to become the second-best quarterback in the SEC and, potentially, earn a spot in the NFL Draft before it’s all said and done.

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