Clemson: Trevor Lawrence, QB
In 2018, Trevor Lawrence passed for 3,280 yards and a 30-4 touchdown-to-interception ratio. Along with a passer rating of 157.6 and a completion percentage of 65, Lawrence had one of the greatest seasons for a freshman in the history of the sport.
This great season was capped by a 44-16 win over Alabama, and over Tua Tagovailoa. These two are the prohibitive favorites to win the Heisman in 2019, and given the result when the two met on the field, Lawrence currently sits in the driver’s seat.
Coming into the season, Lawrence has just about every luxury a quarterback could ask for. Four of his five linemen return in front of him. The Tiger running game is led by Travis Etienne, a Heisman candidate in his own right. Hunter Renfrow is gone, but a ton of receiving production still returns. Tee Higgins caught 59 balls in 2019, Amari Rodgers caught 55, and Justyn Ross brought in 46.
For many players, the prospect of getting to New York for the Heisman Trophy Ceremony is exciting enough. For Lawrence, New York is a foregone conclusion, and anything less than winning the award would be a disappointment.