Joe Douglas got a closer look Friday at what the Jets can’t have.
The Jets general manager was on hand when quarterback Trevor Lawrence threw 52 passes during a hastily organized workout for NFL personnel inside the practice bubble at Clemson. But Douglas didn’t have the best view of the house.
Newly hired Jaguars coach Urban Meyer and Clemson coach Dabo Swinney were attached at the hip for most of the training, even standing in midfield about 15 yards from consensus as the best quarterback prospect in the United States. field since Andrew Luck in 2013 while others were inactive on the bench.
“Yeah, I saw it,” Lawrence smirked at Meyer on ACC Network. “I just greeted him very quickly. I can’t really communicate here. “
Even with the benefit of the No. 2 pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, the Jets were reduced to due diligence on Lawrence, as were most of the 17 NFL teams that sent 31 representatives, according to Sports. Illustrated. The Jets sent three and the Giants two scouts, and both teams in need of receivers surely had their eyes on one of Lawrence’s sparring partners: projected second- or third-round pick Cornell Powell.
Free agent catcher Caleb Scott, a 2018 Vanderbilt product who has had time with the Seahawks and Packers, also shone with a dive catch of a deep ball from Lawrence.
The Jaguars have the No. 1 pick and league sources tell the Post that a primary draw to get Meyer out of retirement was a chance to coach Lawrence. Meyer’s last season as head coach at Ohio State was in 2018, when Lawrence led Clemson to the college football playoff title as a true freshman. Meyer praised Lawrence in his two years as a television analyst.
Lawrence is scheduled to undergo surgery on his non-pitching shoulder, so he arranged an individual workout at Meyer’s suggestion rather than waiting until Clemson’s regularly scheduled Pro Day (March 11). Meyer told the NFL Network that he discussed three options with Lawrence: wait until March 11 and risk rehab coming to training camp, skip professional day and let his college resume do the talking, or …
“I said, ‘Why don’t you go catch a ball and throw it a little bit?'” Meyer said. “And he said, ‘Let’s go.’ That was it. The next thing I know, we are here on a Pro Day that they organized. He is a guy who loves soccer and is confident in his ability. “
With the NFL Combine significantly altered by COVID-19 restrictions, all in-person workouts leading up to this year’s draft will take place on college campuses. Lawrence is training with Jordan Palmer, the former NFL quarterback who advises many of the top picks each season, including the Jets’ Sam Darnold. They had only been on their plan for two weeks when the training date changed.
“Just to show that I’m no different from everyone else,” Lawrence said. “I still want to do the process the right way.
“It’s not like the original plan: have two months of training in California, then come back on March 11 and put on a show. But life happens sometimes. Showing that I am able to adapt and remain willing to come here and pitch and give the teams a chance to see me was important to me. “
Lawrence checked all the important measurement boxes: hands 6 feet 5 5/8 inches tall, 213 pounds, 10 inches.
“About … I think I can start pitching 6 to 8 weeks after surgery and see a total clearance in 4 to 5 months,” Lawrence said. “I will be able to do things before then. It shouldn’t be that bad. I just have to rehab really hard. I’m excited to fix that and begin that path to health. “