NFL.com expert and previous NFL scout Daniel Jeremiah takes a “first look” at a few of college footballs leading players for 2020. This is the eighth in a series of scouting reports that will run throughout the offseason.
Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence heads into the 2020 season as the face of college football. Its extremely possible he might manage the CFB triple crown in the next year: win the Heisman Trophy and the championship game and after that become the first general pick in the NFL draft. I cant remember this much hype about a prospect at the quarterback position considering that Andrew Luck was entering his final season at Stanford in 2011. I recently had the chance to study three of Lawrences games. Heres my First Look report:
Height, weight: 6-foot-6, 220 pounds (school measurements).
2019 data: 268 of 407 (65.8 percent) for 3,665 backyards, 36 TDs and 8 INTs; 103 carries for 563 lawns (5.5 average), 9 TDs.
Most significant takeaway: Lawrence has all of the essential tools to emerge as an elite quarterback at the next level. There is still some advancement needed. Hes not at the same level of consistency that Luck displayed during his time at Stanford. Im not talking about the data– Im talking about the overall command and ownership of every crucial circumstance. I think Lawrence can– and will get– to that level, however hes not quite there.
He advises me of: There truly isnt a comparison for Lawrence due to the fact that of his distinct measurables and athleticism. Watson is more evasive, while Lawrence has more pure speed. Watson has actually emerged as one of the premier quarterbacks in the NFL, and Lawrence has the benefit to join him in that group in the near future.
Where he needs to improve: His biggest area to concentrate on heading into the 2020 season is his precision and ball placement. His conclusion portion is really excellent (65.8%), but that stat isnt always a reasonable sign of precision at the collegiate level. He has too numerous underthrown deep balls from the pocket and his placement when on the move is spotty. If he works to square his shoulders when outside the pocket, that need to truly enhance his accuracy because department. I like how quickly he gets to the 2nd and third read in his development with his eyes, however there are plays where his feet arent wed to his vision and that impacts his precision.
Watson has emerged as one of the premier quarterbacks in the NFL, and Lawrence has the upside to join him in that group in the near future.
What I liked: Lawrence has an ideal blend of size, athleticism, arm strength and toughness. When pressured, hes extremely urgent in his motion during his drop and he utilizes that suddenness to escape. Lawrence has a compact shipment, but he can change his arm angle and get the ball out much more quickly when needed. Hes able to drive the ball outside the numbers, and hes likewise unafraid to work in the middle of the field. He flashes the capability to layer the ball over second-level protectors and in front of third-level protectors. He throws with outstanding anticipation and timing.
When the play breaks down and he is extremely hazardous on developed quarterback runs, the junior signal-caller is an innovative playmaker. He will lower his shoulder to handle protectors, but his speed is his greatest property as a runner. His total competitiveness and durability are obvious in each video game I saw. He will hang in to take success from the pocket and he will defend the additional yard as a ball-carrier.
Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence heads into the 2020 season as the face of college football. Lawrence has a compact shipment, however he can adjust his arm angle and get the ball out even more rapidly when needed. Most significant takeaway: Lawrence has all of the essential tools to emerge as an elite quarterback at the next level. I believe Lawrence can– and will get– to that level, but hes not quite there.
Game tape enjoyed: Texas A&M (Sept. 7, 2019), South Carolina (Nov. 30, 2019), Ohio State (Dec. 28, 2019).
