Kelly Bryant says he feels like he is the starter

David Hood by Senior Writer -

CLEMSON – Kelly Bryant’s body language was far different Tuesday than it was after the spring game.

Bryant, Clemson’s incumbent starting quarterback, walked off the practice field at Jervey Meadows after Tuesday’s practice with his trademark smile and a bundle of dance moves for the assembled media. That was a far cry from the downcast Bryant that met with the media after his lackluster performance in the spring game.

Tuesday, he looked and acted like a senior starter.

“I prepare like I am the starter,” Bryant said. “I feel like when I come out here and step on the field I am the starter. I try to be that leader for all the guys. I don’t think I have changed anything. If anything, I have enhanced it as well.”

Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney and co-offensive coordinators Jeff Scott and Tony Elliott have said that a starter for the opener against Furman likely won’t be named until the depth chart is released next Monday, and Bryant said he is ok with that decision.

He also said that he will support whatever decision the coaches make.

“It is up to the coaches,” Bryant said. “I feel like I have done everything I needed to do. I will leave it in the coaches’ hands. I just have to make sure that I am ready each-and-every week.”

Bryant is the unquestioned leader in a quarterback room that includes true freshmen Trevor Lawrence and Ben Batson and redshirt freshman Chase Brice. Being a leader, he doesn’t mind helping out the younger players, even if they are trying to take his job.

“I do what I have been doing all along. I had younger guys in the room last year,” he said. I worked under two older guys and I just lean on what they taught me and brought me up on. I’m just making sure I am doing everything for myself as well. Both of those guys have been doing the same thing for me. Whenever I don’t see something, they may see something differently, so I have been getting their input. So, it has been good to see that.”

However, Bryant wants to be the starter and he feels like he had a good camp.

"I feel like I had a pretty good camp. Overall could be better but I feel like there was good competition at all positions on the team,” he said. “It brought out the good in a lot of people. It was good to see guys out there competing including myself as well."