Kelly Bryant started the past 18 games for Clemson. He will start his next game for another school.

On Sunday, coach Dabo Swinney informed Bryant that he was no longer the starting quarterback. On Tuesday, Bryant informed Swinney that he will transfer.

Under new NCAA redshirt guidelines, by leaving Clemson now, Bryant can salvage his final year of eligibility. He has not decided where he will spend it.

“I feel like it's what's best for me and my future,” Bryant said in an exclusive interview with The Greenville News. “I was just going to control what I could control and try to make the most of my opportunity, but at the end of the day, I just don't feel like I’ve gotten a fair shot.”

Bryant, a senior, started the first four games of the season but split series with freshman Trevor Lawrence.

Bryant completed 66 percent of his pass attempts and averaged 8.6 yards per throw. Lawrence completed 63.9 percent of his attempts and averaged 9.8 yards per throw. Bryant amassed 610 yards of total offense. Lawrence compiled 631.

Bryant directed eight scoring drives. He scored four touchdowns himself. Lawrence steered 15 scoring drives. He threw nine touchdowns, including four Saturday at Georgia Tech.

More:Clemson teammates react to quarterback Trevor Lawrence's promotion

Swinney asserted that the quarterback rotation would continue, but he never affirmed that Bryant would always take the first turn. Swinney portrayed the switch as a reward for Lawrence, not a punishment for Bryant.

“They asked me how I felt about it,” Bryant said, recalling his meeting with Swinney. “I was like, ‘I’m not discrediting Trevor. He’s doing everything asked of him, but on my side of it, I feel like I haven't done anything to not be the starter. I've been here. I've waited my turn. I've done everything y’all have asked me to do, plus more.'

“I've never been a distraction. I've never been in trouble with anything. To me, it was kind of a slap in the face.”

More:Dabo Swinney had 'deep, long, emotional' talk with QB Kelly Bryant

More:Freshman Trevor Lawrence to get nod as Clemson's starting quarterback

Bryant signed with Clemson in 2014 after an All-State career at Wren High School. He appeared in 12 games through his first two seasons at Clemson, as he bided time behind Deshaun Watson.

Bryant seized the starting role in 2017. He became the third native South Carolinian to start at quarterback for Clemson through the last 100 years.

He led the Tigers to a Palmetto Bowl victory, an Atlantic Coast Conference championship and an appearance in the College Football Playoff. Bryant accrued 4,300 yards of total offense and 32 touchdowns through 30 career games.

He compiled a 16-2 record as a starter.

“I’ve been with this senior class for four years. Seeing how much we built and poured into this program, it's tough to walk away from it,” Bryant said. “But at the same time, I’ve got to do what’s best for me. And I feel like this is the best situation for me.”

The demotion fell at a favorable point on the schedule for Bryant. The NCAA loosened its restrictions on redshirting this season. Players can now appear in a maximum of four games without sacrificing a year of eligibility.

If Bryant played a single snap against Syracuse, his college career would be over in January. By withdrawing from the remainder of the season, he will be eligible to play immediately at another program next year.