This all happened so quickly. Clemson quarterback Kelly Bryant didn’t practice with the team this week; that took place right after Dabo Swinney named Trevor Lawrence as the starting quarterback. One day later, and Bryant has announced that he will transfer out from the program.
The story was first reported by Manie Robinson of the Greenville News.
BREAKING: #Clemson QB Kelly Bryant tells @maniebeingmanie he will transferhttps://t.co/5ExflhgIYL
— Marcel Louis-Jacques (@Marcel_LJ) September 26, 2018
In the first four games this season, which he started, Bryant completed 66 percent of his passes (8.5 yards per attempt) and threw for two touchdowns. He was productive on the ground, too: 4.8 yards per carry and two touchdowns. Bryant was also very good in the road win at Texas A&M.
Lawrence, however, has been superb — and he was spectacular against Georgia Tech. For the season, Lawrence has completed 64 percent of his passes (11.3 yards per attempt).
With his decision to not play in a fifth game this season at Clemson, Bryant will be able to redshirt and preserve his final year of eligibility under a new NCAA redshirt rule.
Bryant was not exactly thrilled with the decision to move him to the bench, which he described to Robinson:
“They asked me how I felt about it. 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.’
He continued:
“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.”