Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence took a shot to his neck in the second quarter of the Tigers' game against Syracuse on Saturday and had to exit. He will not return, according to the ABC broadcast crew.
He was replaced by Chase Brice, a redshirt freshman who became the backup this week when Kelly Bryant announced he would transfer. Bryant started the team's first four games, but coach Dabo Swinney told him Lawrence would be the starter this weekend.
So, Trevor Lawrence was just broken in half. That looked horrible #Clemsonpic.twitter.com/9yaWBvHNTs
— Trey Wallace (@TreyWallace_) September 29, 2018
Clemson QB Trevor Lawrence is down after taking a hard shot to his neck area. pic.twitter.com/5LSsJAmAuH
— Sporting News (@sportingnews) September 29, 2018
Lawrence, a 5-star true freshman, was one of the highest-rated recruits ever on the 247Sports composite. Brice was the No. 17 pro-style quarterback in the Class of 2017.
Lawrence and Bryant split time through Clemson's first four games, but Swinney's staff went with Lawrence because of his arm talent and how he could stretch the field.
Clemson entered the game at +450 to win the national title, tied with Ohio State as the second betting choice. The Tigers closed at -24.5 against Syracuse on Saturday, and they still sit at -11.5 for the second half.
Clemson also lost former 5-star quarterback Hunter Johnson to transfer this summer. He's enrolled at Northwestern.
