Notre Dame Football: The top 5 quarterbacks the Irish will face in 2020
By Jack Leniart
![GLENDALE, ARIZONA - DECEMBER 28: Trevor Lawrence #16 of the Clemson Tigers looks to pass against the Ohio State Buckeyes in the second half during the College Football Playoff Semifinal at the PlayStation Fiesta Bowl at State Farm Stadium on December 28, 2019 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) GLENDALE, ARIZONA - DECEMBER 28: Trevor Lawrence #16 of the Clemson Tigers looks to pass against the Ohio State Buckeyes in the second half during the College Football Playoff Semifinal at the PlayStation Fiesta Bowl at State Farm Stadium on December 28, 2019 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/a413fc7d5ad6f4124622884005dc2389cc4dba6b854a2096d37cbe570b5a0c77.jpg)
1. Trevor Lawrence (Clemson)
No surprise here. Lawrence is widely regarded as the top quarterback in all of college football and is heavily favored to be selected with the first overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft.
Lawrence has been making headlines since high school. Recruiting analysts referred to him as a “once in a generation” type of talent. For the most part, that has been true.
As a true freshman, Lawrence saw action early in the 2018 season. He helped lead Clemson to an undefeated regular season, ACC Championship, and a birth in the College Football Playoff.
Notre Dame fans were introduced to Lawrence in the Cotton Bowl, which was the semifinal round of the playoff that season. In that game, he torched the Irish defense for 327 yards and three touchdowns.
Lawrence went on to top that performance in the National Championship Game against Alabama, where he threw for 347 yards and three touchdowns.
Expectations were sky-high for Lawrence entering 2019. Other than failing to win another national championship, I think it is safe to say he met those expectations.
Lawrence finished the season with 3,665 passing yards, 36 passing touchdowns, and eight interceptions. He also ran for 563 yards and nine touchdowns.
The Tigers’ offense lost a couple of star wide receivers following the conclusion of the 2019 season. Tee Higgins left for the NFL Draft, where he was selected with the 33rd overall pick. Justyn Ross was diagnosed with a spine issue this spring that will require surgery and could put his football career in jeopardy.
Next. What the preview magazines say about Notre Dame Football. dark
Clemson has recruited very well in recent years. In the absence of players like Higgins and Ross, their offense will have no shortage of talent surrounding Trevor Lawrence.