Trevor Lawrence, of course, became the first player in Clemson history to be selected with the first overall pick in an NFL Draft when the Jacksonville Jaguars grabbed the star quarterback to kick off the 2021 draft on April 29, 2021.

Would Lawrence still have been the top choice if ESPN re-picked that draft class?

They did, with ESPN recently re-drafting the top 15 picks of the 2021 NFL draft (subscription required), and Lawrence stayed put as the No. 1 overall pick of the Jaguars in ESPN’s re-draft.

“There are plenty of directions the Jaguars could go in a 2021 re-draft — Cowboys linebacker Micah Parsons is among the league’s elite players, and quarterback Justin Fields has been amazing in Chicago — but the Jaguars got it right the first time,” ESPN NFL draft analyst Matt Miller Miller wrote. “Lawrence had a rocky rookie season, but he has had an awakening and is playing franchise quarterback-level football.”

After struggling as a rookie under embattled former Jaguars coach Urban Meyer, Lawrence has had a resurgent second season in Jacksonville under first-year coach Doug Pederson.

Last season, Lawrence threw only 12 touchdown passes and had a league-high-tying 17 interceptions. But in 15 games this season, Lawrence has completed 65.9 percent of his passes for 3,749 yards and 24 touchdowns with only seven picks. He ranks in the top 10 in the league in completions, passing yards and passing touchdowns.

Lawrence has thrown for 14 touchdowns and just one interception in his last seven games, leading the Jags to a 5-2 record in the span. They are now 7-8 overall and currently in first place in the AFC South heading into their game at the Houston Texans this Sunday.

–Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images 

Dear Old Clemson has added the Tiger Sack Pack to our online store.  Save by getting the Two Pack of signed cards from two of the nation’s top defensive ends, Myles Murphy and Xavier Thomas.

Now there is a new way you can support Clemson student-athletes. Purchase collectibles from Dear Old Clemson and the proceeds with go to support Clemson student-athletes. 

Dear Old Clemson is doing NIL the ‘Clemson way’, but we need your help to make sure we build a sustainable, repeatable model that will help keep Clemson competitive with the other top programs around the nation.

Dabo Swinney: “We need your assistance more than ever to provide meaningful NIL opportunities. Tiger Impact, Dear Old Clemson and other collectives allow student-athletes to utilize their voice and platform to maximize their NIL opportunities and strengthen their impact in the community.”

Graham Neff:
“Tiger Impact, Dear Old Clemson and other collectives need your support to help provide meaningful NIL opportunities for our student athletes. We are doing things the right way, the Clemson way with integrity as a non-negotiable and we fully support the mission of these groups.”

Join the Tiger Club or Lady Tiger Club to help these great student-athletes and help the Tigers compete at the highest level!