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Three-Point Stance: Tribute to Trevor, explosive prospects, 2022 guesses

National Recruiting Director Mike Farrell’s Three-Point Stance is here with a tribute to Trevor Lawrence. the most explosive players in the 2021 class, and some early leaders for big names from 2022.

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FACT OR FICTION: Oklahoma would beat Texas A&M

CLASS OF 2021 RANKINGS: Rivals250 | Position | Team | State

CLASS OF 2022 RANKINGS: Rivals250 | Position | Team | State

COVERAGE: Rivals Transfer Tracker | Rivals Camp Series

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1. GOODBYE, TREVOR LAWRENCE

Trevor Lawrence
Trevor Lawrence (AP Images)

Let’s say goodbye to Trevor Lawrence. Now there are those, in the minority of course, who say Lawrence was and is over-hyped and didn’t live up to his potential. Those people are stupid. That may sound harsh, but it’s not.

Lawrence entered college football as the best player I’ve ever scouted, slightly ahead of Jadeveon Clowney. It's easy for a quarterback to fall short of those kind of expectations. And Lawrence has never once disappointed. Sure, he’s had a bad game here and there and never won the Heisman barring a huge upset this week. But let’s be clear: He is a generational talent. Chase Young? Not a generational talent because he followed guys like Joey and Nick Bosa. Joe Burrow? Close, but he didn’t start and finish at the top like Lawrence did. Patrick Mahomes? He will be by the time he’s done but, again. he didn’t have to live up to the hype in college like Lawrence.

While some players like Tom Brady and Aaron Rodgers earn generational status by their play in the NFL, it’s guys like Lawrence and Peyton Manning before him that do it from a young age.

Lawrence hasn’t don’t anything in the NFL yet, but he will be the first pick in the NFL Draft and, I will tell you this, he will lead the Jacksonville Jaguars to at least one Super Bowl win. Doubt him if you will.

Lawrence finishes his Clemson career with 90 touchdown passes and only 17 interceptions and a 66.6-percent completion rate. He also rushed for 943 yards and 18 more scores to show off his dual-threat ability. Most importantly, Lawrence's college record as a starter was 34-2 with one national championship and three playoff appearances. Had he not missed time this season, Lawrence would also be adding a Heisman Trophy to his resume.

Whether you love or hate Clemson, you should be thanking Lawrence for not only living up to all of the hype but also for pushing the college football season itself forward this year.

SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS WITH CLEMSON FANS AT TIGERILLUSTRATED.COM

2. THE MOST EXPLOSIVE PROSPECTS IN THE 2021 CLASS

Camar Wheaton
Camar Wheaton (Rivals.com)

Listing the most explosive players in the 2021 class is always an interesting debate and my mind hasn’t changed much from when I looked at these before the season. But now we know where their homes are going to be.

1. RB Camar Wheaton — Wheaton No. 1? Some don’t even think he should be a five-star prospect, but his size and track speed, combined with his ability to make people miss, should have him dominating at Alabama in no time and making some Najee Harris kind of plays.

2. DB James Williams — Williams is getting more and more physical and as he gets bigger he’s going to be a massive and dangerous safety or a hybrid Derwin James-type. At Miami, he’s a can’t-miss for some amazing plays like his future coach — Ed Reed.

3. WR Christian Leary — Leary has the track speed to be the next Jaylen Waddle at Alabama in the passing and return game.

4. WR Emeka Egbuka — Egbuka will dominate at Ohio State with his physical strength and elite speed likely to a larger extent than Garrett Wilson and some others.

5. WR Mario Williams — Super Mario isn’t a natural burner but he’s so shifty in space and has sneaky speed that he will make some highlight reel plays in Norman.

6. RB Will Shipley — Think Clemson will miss Travis Etienne and his ability to make plays in space? Keep an eye on Shipley.

7. ATH Billy Bowman — Bowman can dominate on defense, but as a slot receiver with sneaky power, he could light things up in Norman with Williams.

8. QB Caleb Williams — He’s not the tallest quarterback, but he’s dynamic when making run and pass decisions and keeps defenses off balance. He’s the next great one at Oklahoma.

9. WR Troy Franklin — I love Franklin’s fit in the Oregon offense as a downfield threat and he will help the QB situation immediately.

10. LB Barrett Carter — Carter is a quick twitch kid who could be the best linebacker at Clemson in years.

3. BEST GUESSES AT TOP 2022 PROSPECTS

Denver Harris
Denver Harris (Sam Spiegelman)

We just had a huge commitment for the 2022 class as cornerback Jaheim Singletary chose Ohio State over Florida and others. Here’s my best guess at where some other big names are leaning.

DB Domani Jackson — I still say USC has a strong lead here and I won’t budge on that anytime soon.

DB Denver Harris — Let’s say Alabama, LSU, Ohio State here but keep an eye on who Texas hires as its DC.

OT Julian Armella — Armella has ties to Florida State but watch out for Alabama and LSU here for him. Especially the Crimson Tide.

DT Travis Shaw — I still have Clemson here in a dogfight with North Carolina.

CB Will Johnson — Ohio State is the leader in my book with USC a threat if he wants to play with Domani Jackson. Michigan in here as well.

OT Kam Dewberry — Best guess is Oklahoma right now for Dewberry, but keep an eye on LSU and, of course, Texas A&M is also on fire.

ATH Jacoby Matthews — LSU has a huge lead here over the rest but you always have to look out for Mississippi State (connections), Alabama and others.

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