Clemson’s Trevor Lawrence and Ohio State’s Justin Fields face off in an early preview of the battle for the top pick in the 2021 NFL draft
We’re still more than a year away from the 2021 NFL draft, but this year’s College Football Playoff is giving us an early preview of the top two candidates to go No. 1 overall in that class.
Saturday afternoon, Ohio State and Clemson will battle it out in the Fiesta Bowl for the chance to play for a national title. Leading them will be the two best prospects in the 2021 draft class.
After he torched Alabama in last year’s title game, Clemson’s Trevor Lawrence was immediately crowned a future No. 1 pick, albeit two years before he could even be eligible. He’s experienced his rough patches throughout his sophomore season for the Tigers, but still has a rare skill set that should have him firmly planted in that conversation next offseason.
Once buried behind Jake Fromm at Georgia, Justin Fields transferred to Ohio State, replacing first-rounder Dwayne Haskins and leading the Buckeyes to a Big Ten title and a berth in this year’s playoff. His athleticism and versatility and well-documented, but it’s his prowess as a passer, both inside the pocket and when things break down, that will have him challenging Lawrence for the chance to go No. 1 overall in 2021.
Obviously, plenty can change in a year. Both of these talented passers will have to avoid major injury, and continue their development at their current pace to fend off the other in the race to the top of next year’s draft.
But they both have the talent and potential, along with the coaching staff and supporting cast, to end up at the top of the draft board when April 2021 rolls around.
Don’t miss Saturday’s chance to see them both face off with a trip to the national championship on the line.
[vertical-gallery id=611191]
