Swinney announces starter at quarterback

Tony Crumpton by Assoc. Editor -

Clemson coach Dabo Swinney spoke to the media following Monday evening's practice and shared the news that junior Kelly Bryant has been named the starting quarterback to begin the season.

"We have named Kelly (Bryant) the starter," Swinney said. "He's earned it. He's going to be our starter and we are excited about that. I'm really proud of Kelly first of all. If you guys (only) knew how precise we are in our grading and evaluation and the things we put these guys through. This has been a great competition. I'm really proud of all the guys because they are just good people. I love to see competitors and they all want to be the guy but I love to see them happy for somebody else. It's been a really good spirited competition but this part of the competition is over and Kelly won it. Just that simple. He won it. Grades have to count. Everything matters and I'm really proud of him."

Swinney went on to say that Zerrick Cooper is "first off the bench" while freshman Hunter Johnson is "not far behind" in the competition.

Co-offensive coordinator Jeff Scott had the following positive things to say about Bryant to reporters last Thursday.

“I am very pleased with Kelly," Scott said. "He is very much improved since the spring. He is another guy where it has been very evident how hard he has worked in the off-season and in the summer. He came out here in Day One, and he was much improved from where he was in the spring practice. I feel like he has been very consistent and has been throwing the ball well. Very pleased where he is. But that group of guys behind him has been competing, and they are coming on as well. But we are very pleased with what we’ve seen out of Kelly in fall camp.”

For his career in 12 games, Bryant is 13-22 passing for 75 yards and a touchdown. He also has 35 rushes for 178 rushing yards and three scores.