The Jacksonville Jaguars have high hopes for quarterback Trevor Lawrence.
After all, he was a national champion, ACC Player of the Year, and First-team All-American.
He threw 90 touchdowns and only 17 interceptions in three seasons at Clemson.
Lawrence also had 18 rushing touchdowns and averaged 4.1 yards per carry.
Those numbers convinced new Jaguars head coach Urban Meyer that the Georgia native would be their franchise quarterback.
Trevor Lawrence is going to be a problem.#DENvsJAX on CBS pic.twitter.com/MMfnTA6YJZ
— Jacksonville Jaguars (@Jaguars) September 19, 2021
Lawrence’s exhibition at Clemson was the only pro day that Meyer attended.
The Jaguars selected Lawrence with the top overall selection in the 2021 NFL Draft a few weeks later.
He became the team’s starting quarterback when the team traded Gardner Minshew to the Philadelphia Eagles.
Lawrence also had two solid preseason games against the New Orleans Saints and the Dallas Cowboys, respectively.
He completed 14 passes for 113 yards against the Saints and 11 passes for 139 yards and two touchdowns versus Dallas.
But then again, NFL preseason games don’t matter much, and it showed during his first two regular season games.
Love this from @Trevorlawrencee, showing maturity in adversity. pic.twitter.com/mrqICssV5E
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) September 17, 2021
While his talent is undeniable, it’s hard for one man to carry a franchise on his shoulders.
Unfortunately, the NFL’s annual rite of passage puts the best prospect on the worst team.
Therefore, it didn’t take long for Lawrence to realize that professional football is a major leap from college.
The rookie had a commendable debut against the Houston Texans.
Tyrod Taylor finished with 21 completions for 292 yards and two touchdowns.
Most passes dropped this season:
🔹Trevor Lawrence – 7
🔹Zach Wilson – 7 pic.twitter.com/SxVe5kxp6n— PFF (@PFF) September 22, 2021
In contrast, Lawrence had 332 yards, and three touchdown passes.
Only Fran Tarkenton and Marcus Mariota threw for at least three touchdown passes during their debut.
However, it took him 51 attempts to complete 28 throws and he had three interceptions in the 37-21 loss.
The Misery For Lawrence Compounds
Lawrence never threw three interceptions in a single game with Clemson.
Likewise, the loss to Houston is his first-ever regular season defeat.
trevor lawrence threw 3 picks against the texans and no one cared but zach wilson does against bill belichick and the patriots and everyone loses their mind
— langston 🥭 (@LangstonLee627) September 19, 2021
Talk about having a crash course on the NFL’s reality.
His three interceptions were easy to read because he did not look off his intended receiver.
Lawrence must realize that he can’t zip the ball through defenders as he did in college, especially when he’s facing a formidable defensive unit.
That’s what happened when he faced the Denver Broncos, who had Patrick Surtain II and Justin Simmons in the secondary.
Lawrence had 14 completions for 118 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions to Surtain II and Kareem Jackson.
Worst, the Jaguars look like the same team from last year, even with Lawrence under center.
36% of Trevor Lawrence's pass attempts so far have been uncatchable.
Highest rate in the NFL.
— Sam Monson (@PFF_Sam) September 21, 2021
It doesn’t get easier for Jacksonville because they will be facing the 2-0 Arizona Cardinals in Week 3.
The matchup looks like a massacre on paper, given Kyler Murray’s sensational start to the season.
In contrast, the suffering will continue for Lawrence because there’s nothing much they can do with their roster.
However, he must get inspiration from two legendary quarterbacks who started their careers badly.
Pro Football Hall of Famer Peyton Manning holds the NFL record for most interceptions by a rookie with 28.
Don't blitz: Russell Wilson
Do blitz: Trevor Lawrence pic.twitter.com/Xek9k3mIYp
— Ben Volin (@BenVolin) September 24, 2021
Meanwhile, three-time Super Bowl winner Troy Aikman won just one game in his first year with the Cowboys.
Therefore, expect more head-scratching moments from Lawrence as the season progresses.
But Jacksonville must build a solid roster around him to ease his growing pains as a pro.
NEXT: Urban Meyer May Have To Slow Down Expectations With Jaguars
