For Trevor Lawrence, Being No. 1 In 2021 Remains On Hold

It's been a year of tough endings for Clemson junior quarterback Trevor Lawrence.

But while he finished second to Alabama receiver DeVonta Smith in the Heisman voting and his team lost to Ohio State in the College Football Playoff semifinals, Lawrence should soon get to say, "I'm No. 1."

Lawrence hasn't officially announced his intentions, but he is indeed expected to declare for the NFL draft soon. Assuming that happens, the Jacksonville Jaguars will undoubtedly turn him into the face of their franchise a few months later.

Smith won the Heisman on Tuesday with 447 first-place votes and 1,856 total votes. Lawrence finished second with 222 first-place votes and 1,187 total. It was considered a suspenseful Heisman races going in, particularly after Joe Burrow's landslide win last year.

Alabama quarterback Mac Jones finished in third with 138 first-place votes and 1,130 points, and Florida quarterback Kyle Trask placed fourth with 61 first-place votes and 737 total points.

Lawrence finished the year 231-of-334 passing for 3,153 yards and 24 touchdowns (and just five interceptions), with 203 yards on the ground and eight rushing scores.

Clemson coach Dabo Swinney campaigned hard for his star QB, who will live on forever in program lore.

“I know it’s not a pro potential award. But he’s lost one game. It’s not a career award either. We all know that. But his season has been, this has been the best he’s been,” Swinney said Dec. 28. “The best player in the country is Trevor Lawrence. And to me, it’s not close.”

So it's on to the next phase for Lawrence, who is highly likely to finish first overall in his first NFL experience. It's not a 2021 national title or a Heisman, but it will be a fine way to enter the league.