Clemson Football: 5 takeaways from national title-winning 2018 season

SANTA CLARA, CA - JANUARY 07: James Edwards #95 and Hunter Renfrow #13 of the Clemson Tigers celebtate their teams 44-16 win over the Alabama Crimson Tide in the CFP National Championship presented by AT&T at Levi's Stadium on January 7, 2019 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /

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(Photo by Omar Rawlings/Getty Images) /

4. Dabo picked the right quarterback

Of all the problems to have, having to choose between two talented quarterbacks would be at the top of most people’s lists. That’s the problem that Dabo Swinney was faced with early in the Tigers’ campaign, as incumbent quarterback Kelly Bryant was being pushed by five-star freshman Trevor Lawrence.

Bryant threw for 3,333 yards and 16 touchdowns as a Tiger, going 16-2 as the starting quarterback. He was equally dangerous on the run, adding 987 yards and 16 touchdowns as a runner. He led the Tigers to an ACC Title game rout over Miami (FL) and the first round of the College Football Playoff as the No. 1 seed. On top of that he entered the 2018 season as a senior.

It was a controversial decision to turn away from that but with the benefit of hindsight, it was a brilliant move. Lawrence delivered 3,280 passing yards and 30 touchdowns with just four interceptions. The decision turned the tide of Clemson’s season and established Lawrence as the future of Clemson football.

Bryant immediately transferred out of the program, a decision that nearly cost Clemson against Syracuse, when Lawrence took a tough hit and was removed from the game.

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