Top-ranked Clemson will be without star quarterback Trevor Lawrence for at least one game after it was announced on Thursday night he tested positive for coronavirus.
“Trevor has authorized us this evening to announce that he has tested positive for COVID-19 and is now in isolation,” Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney said in a statement. “He is doing well with mild symptoms but will not be available for this week’s game against Boston College. While we certainly will 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.”
The Tigers will likely call upon true freshman D.J. Uiagalelei, the top-rated signal-caller in the 2020 recruiting class, against the Eagles. He’s completed 12 of 19 passes for 102 yards and rushed eight times for 32 yards and two scores in five appearances this season.
That said, Lawrence’s positive test reportedly took place on Wednesday, which could allow him to return for the Clemson’s Nov. 7 trip to No. 4 Notre Dame. The Atlantic Coast Conference requires players who test positive to sit out just 10 days, assuming they are symptom free, whereas the Big Ten won’t allow a player to participate for at least 21 days — as is the case for Wisconsin quarterback Graham Mertz, among others.
“The only thing that hurts is missing an opportunity to be with my teammates this weekend and play the game I love,” Lawrence said on Twitter. “I hate that I can’t be there, but I’ll be watching from isolation and pulling for our guys while I wait for the opportunity to rejoin the team.”
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