Trevor Lawrence: Living up to the hype without surprise

Trevor Lawrence is finally living up to the hype in the NFL, leading the Jacksonville Jaguars to victories and showing maturity on the field. He has the potential to lead the team deep into the playoffs and dominate the AFC South. Lawrence's success has been a long time coming, but he is proving himself as a franchise quarterback.

I vividly recall the first time Trevor Lawrence caught my attention. It was the summer of 2017, and I was watching an NFL Network show that focused on the Elite 11, a prestigious competition for high school quarterbacks. This event serves as a reliable gauge for identifying the next generation of talented signal-callers. I immediately noticed Lawrence, who had committed to Clemson University during their dominant run. With his long hair, towering height, exceptional composure, and pinpoint accuracy, he possessed all the qualities of a complete package. Lawrence lived up to the immense expectations placed upon him as a once-in-a-lifetime prospect for the Tigers. However, his transition to the NFL revealed the massive leap that every quarterback must make. Leading a struggling team is not a quick fix solution.

It took three years in the NFL, but Lawrence has finally begun to showcase his true potential on the professional stage. A prime example of this was Jacksonville's recent victory over the New Orleans Saints. While Lawrence's performance may not have been spectacular, it would be unfair to label his restraint as a lack of ability. It demonstrates his maturity as a player. With the talented roster that the Jaguars have assembled, Lawrence doesn't need to be a superhero to win. Sometimes, he needs to embrace his Clark Kent persona, as he did during the game-winning drive against the Saints. Unlike his counterpart, Derek Carr, Lawrence never threw a pick-six that night.

During Jacksonville's final drive, they only needed two plays that didn't involve a kneel to score. The Saints' response ended in a turnover on downs. Comparing Lawrence to Carr is an unfair matchup, considering Lawrence's superior performance since high school. Apologies for the dig, but it had to be said. The only remaining question is how far Lawrence can lead the Jaguars and why it took three years for him to fully emerge. Surprisingly, the answers are more straightforward than one might expect.

Lawrence has the potential to be the catalyst that propels the Jaguars deep into the playoffs, much like he did last season. The playoffs served as a valuable learning experience, allowing him to piece together all the elements of his game. This is analogous to the importance of staging in cooking, where hands-on internships teach aspiring chefs valuable lessons. Just like how one learns if they can handle the heat on the cooking line or if they need to pursue a different career, Lawrence faced a challenging first half against the Chargers last year, throwing four interceptions. However, he rebounded in the second half and led Jacksonville to victory. The following week, he nearly defeated the eventual Super Bowl champions, the Kansas City Chiefs, on the road. It's crucial to acknowledge that throwing four interceptions in two quarters is far from ideal, but what matters is that Lawrence's mistakes did not derail his team's season. Now, in the AFC South, which is arguably the easiest division to conquer in football, the Jaguars have a clear path to dominance for years to come.

In the NFL, two years is not a long time for a quarterback. Zach Wilson received two years' worth of opportunities before Aaron Rodgers arrived in Green Bay. How many second chances has Carson Wentz been given? By the end of last season, Lawrence had firmly established himself as the face of the franchise for the foreseeable future, and he has only solidified that position this season. The Jaguars are undefeated on the road, boasting a four-game winning streak that is likely to extend to five with their upcoming game against Pittsburgh. Following that, they will face the San Francisco 49ers at home, presenting a thrilling matchup. If Lawrence can conquer one of the league's best defenses, it will serve as a defining moment that resonates nationwide. Achieving such a feat before the end of his third year in the NFL is undeniably impressive, regardless of the path he took to get here.