Trevor Lawrence tests positive for COVID-19
Trevor Lawrence has tested positive for COVID-19, Clemson confirmed on Thursday night. The news was first reported by NFL Network.
Lawrence is the highest-profile player yet to test positive for the virus.
"Trevor has authorized us this evening to announce he has tested positive for COVID-19 and is now in isolation," Dabo Swinney said. "He is doing well with mild symptoms but will not be available for this week's game against Boston College. While we will certainly miss Trevor, this is an opportunity for other guys to step up and we're excited about competing against a very good BC team on Saturday. Go Tigers."
The ACC does not have an option for Lawrence to "test out" of quarantine, meaning Lawrence could not pull a Nick Saban, assuming the positive result is confirmed.
The No. 1 Tigers are slated to visit No. 4 Notre Dame next Saturday, Nov. 7. Counting Thursday as Day 1, next Saturday would fall within the 10-day isolation period required for all positive cases, meaning he would miss one of the biggest games of the season as well.
Swinney's statement did not address the Notre Dame game, nor when Lawrence first tested positive.
The presumptive No. 1 pick in next spring's draft has completed 70.7 percent of his passes for 1,833 yards (9.6 per attempt) with 17 touchdowns against two interceptions while rushing for four more scores. He ranks 12th nationally in passing efficiency.
Lawrence is backed up by DJ Uiagalelei, a 5-star true freshman from Inland Empire, Calif. Uiagalelei has appeared in five of Clemson's six games to date, hitting 12-of-19 throws for 102 yards.
Swinney's program is in the midst of an ACC record 31-game conference winning streak. The Tigers have not dropped a game outside the College Football Playoff since Oct. 13, 2017.
Lawrence is one of the reasons the season is even being played this fall. He and other players spearheaded the #WeWanttoPlay movement when the season was on the brink of collapse following the Big Ten and Pac-12's postponements in August.
This is a developing story. Stay tuned to The Scoop for the latest.
