Probably top pick Trevor Lawrence is already making big comparisons. As a prospect, they compare him to must-see quarterbacks of recent years like John Elway, Andrew Luck and recent Hall of Famer Peyton Manning.
Speaking to the Charleston Post and Courier, Manning praised Lawrence’s play as the quarterback prepares to take the leap to the next level.
“I like the way Trevor plays,” Manning said. “I like the way he competes and it has been fun watching him develop between his first, second and third years. I’m excited for this next chapter for him.
“I heard Trevor wore No. 16 at Clemson because he enjoyed seeing me in Tennessee. I said to Trevor, ‘I think it would have been a better tribute if you had gone to the same university I went to.’
Lawrence is a fan of Manning’s game, especially his cerebral looks. With his solid decision-making, it’s understandable that Lawrence is drawing comparisons to one of the best pre-snap adjusters of all time in Manning.
“He was in control of the offense and he always knew everything that was going on around him,” Lawrence said of Manning as a freshman at Clemson. “I liked how he always wrote the checks. A really smart player. That’s what I like about him. “
Manning didn’t want to make too many comparisons to Lawrence, but said he is impressed by his steady improvement throughout his college career and his versatility.
“Trevor seems to be very easy to train, which is obviously a good quality,” Manning said of Lawrence. “It seems like it has improved every year, which is another good quality.
“It has not stalled at all since an incredibly successful freshman year. And it looks like he can play the quarterback position in different ways – he can stay in the pocket but he’s athletic and he can run and move. The more you can do, without a doubt, the better. “
There’s no guarantee in the NFL, but if there’s anyone who knows what it takes to play the position at a high level in the pros, it’s Manning. Lawrence and the Jaguars will hope their prognosis is accurate.