Trevor Lawrence recalls why he chose Clemson over Georgia
Trevor Lawrence is arguably the biggest and best quarterback recruit in college football in recent memory. He lived up to it too by starring at Clemson for three years, making the College Football Playoff twice with one national title to show for it, and becoming the No. 1 pick in the 2021 NFL Draft.
Still, things could have been much different for the former five-star and top overall prospect. In a recent interview on ‘The Pivot’, Lawrence discussed what made him end up with the Tigers a few years back instead of in Athens with Georgia.
“The position I was in? I was a big recruit so I was treated well,” said Lawrence. “But I think the underlying, the beliefs, the way the two programs kind of went about their business, the way they carried themselves? I think they were a little bit different.”
“What it came down to, for me, was just the people. The rest of the people, everybody,” Lawrence continued. “I feel like, at the time, to go with who I am and the way I kind of wanted my career to go? And especially the people I wanted to surround myself with? I felt like Clemson was the right place for me.”
Lawrence went on to add that he thought it became a decision in which divine intervention played a part. He felt a draw to Clemson that he couldn’t ignore and, in the end, he’s glad that he didn’t considering what all that opportunity has brought him in his life since.
“It’s interesting that you ask because I think that that goes back to my faith journey as well. I think God? He kind of orchestrated my steps before I knew it,” explained Lawrence. “When I was deciding, I felt really good about both schools. I just felt something about Clemson but I couldn’t put my finger on it. I didn’t know what it was but I just feel drawn to this place for some reason. We went on a couple more visits to each of them and then I was like, ‘I’m choosing Clemson and I’m going with it.'”
“Looking back now and the friends that I have in my life? The influential people that I’ve met that have just really helped me become who I am? It’s cool looking back on, like, what could have been had I went to Georgia,” Lawrence said. “How would that have been different? How would I be different? I don’t know the answer to that question but I think it’s cool to see how that was all kind of orchestrated.”
Still, Lawrence said that there’s plenty of respect that he still has for the Bulldog’s coaching staff, specifically Kirby Smart. Considering what the last few years have looked like for their program as well, he doesn’t feel as bad about electing to go in a different direction in his decision.
“I had a great relationship with Coach Smart,” Lawrence said. “I actually just saw him two weeks ago in the Bahamas. We ran into him and we caught up. I hadn’t talked to him since high school. But I had a great relationship with him and with Coach Swinney.”
“Obviously Georgia’s built something special so it’s worked for them,” said Lawrence.
It’s always interesting to see how one decision in recruiting can change so much in the history of a sport. We’ll never know what Lawrence could have been between the hedges in the SEC but, as far as Tiger fans go, they could care less considering the hardware they have to show from his time wearing their uniform.