Video: What Clemson Players and Coaches Had to Say About LSU at Media Day
Just thinking about LSU quarterback Joe Burrow makes Clemson coach Dabo Swinney sick. One would have to imagine it made most coaches sick this season as it quickly became evident that what the future Heisman trophy winner was doing week in and week out wasn't the norm.
"I don't think there's anything I can say that hasn't already been said. He's special. He really is. It's just kind of -- as I said, just as a coach, it makes you sick watching the tape because he just rarely ever makes a mistake," Swinney said. "He's always a step ahead. He knows exactly where to go with the ball. Even when you watch him -- one of the things I watch is he makes a big play in a huge game in a critical moment, and he just jogs down the field. To me those are things that I look -- if I was an NFL evaluator, I want to see this guy, who he is, he's just like this all the time, and at that position I think that's a special quality."
The Clemson offense is led by sophomore quarterback Trevor Lawrence, who has gone 25-0 as a starter. Lawrence and LSU quarterback have tons of mutual respect for one another, getting to know each other a little bit at the Manning Passing Academy last summer.
"You talk a little bit about football, but you try to just get to know the guy," Burrow said. "He's a great guy, great player. It was fun hanging out with him for a couple days. He's a quiet guy, humble guy. That was nice to see. I respect guys that keep their nose down and just work hard. I mean, the best thing he does is just win, 25-0, something like that, as a starter. That's just something that not a lot of people can do, no matter what conference you play in, who you're playing. "
"I've got a lot of respect, especially in his journey and what he's had to go through to get where he's at, really worked for what he has," Lawrence said of Burrow. "And he does a lot does a lot of things, really accurate, really good in the pocket, keeps his eyes down field. And also running the ball, he does a good job finding plays outside the pocket and you're taking what the defense gives him, as far as if there's a running lane or whatever it is. He's really good at that. Throws on the run really well. Just anything you can think of he does well pretty much."
On defense, Clemson is led by Butkus award winner Isaiah Simmons, who is a converted safety turned linebacker. Simmons is known for his versatility on the defensive side, especially in the pass coverage game from his days as a safety.
Primarily being a slot pass coverage player when asked, one guy he might be going opposite with quite a bunch is LSU receiver Justin Jefferson. Jefferson is coming off an historic game against Oklahoma, catching 14 passes for 227 yards and four touchdowns in the Peach Bowl win over the Sooners.
"I'm going to need to be on my A game," Simmons said. "He's a really good receiver so it's going to take me making as little mistakes as I possibly can."
Here's a little of what the Clemson players and coaches had to say about the championship game with LSU.
Brent Venables (defensive coordinator)
Venables on what he saw from LSU offense when watching Oklahoma, Auburn tape
Trevor Lawrence (sophomore quarterback)
Lawrence on playing in New Orleans and what he thinks of LSU quarterback Joe Burrow
Travis Etienne (junior running back)
Etienne on the different looks the LSU defense provides and why Clemson feels underrated going into National Championship
Isaiah Simmons (junior linebacker)
Simmons on what stands out about LSU offense, particularly Joe Burrow and the receivers.
