Joe Douglas had an almost Friday look at what the Jets can’t have.
The Jets general manager was present, while defender Trevor Lawrence threw 52 passes during a hastily arranged training session for NFL staff in the Clemson practice bubble. But Douglas did not have the best view of the house.
Jaguars’ newly hired coach Urban Meyer and Clemson’s coach Dabo Swinney joined the hip for most of the workout, including midfield, about 15 yards from the best consensus defensive prospect. from Andrew Luck in 2013, while others were idling.
“Yes, I saw him,” a smiling Lawrence said of Meyer on the ACC Network. “It simply came to our notice then. I can’t really communicate here. ”
Even with the advantage of choosing no. 2 of the 2021 NFL draft, the Jets were reduced to due diligence on Lawrence – as were most of the 17 NFL teams that sent 31 reps, according to Sports Illustrated. The Jets sent three, and the Giants sent two scouts, and both teams in need of receivers certainly had their eyes on one of Lawrence’s training partners – Cornell Powell, designed second or third round.
Free agent receiver Caleb Scott – a 2018 Vanderbilt product that had time with the Seahawks and Packers – also blinked with a diving catch of a deep Lawrence ball.
Jaguars hold the position no. 1, and league sources tell The Post that a major draw to pull Meyer out of retirement was the opportunity to coach Lawrence. Meyer’s last season as head coach at Ohio State was in 2018, when Lawrence led Clemson to the college football title as a true freshman. Meyer praised Lawrence during his two years as a television analyst.
Lawrence is scheduled to have surgery on his non-throwing shoulder, so he arranged an individual workout at Meyer’s suggestion, rather than wait until the regular schedule of Clemson Pro Day (March 11). Meyer told the NFL Network that he discussed three options with Lawrence: Wait until March 11 and risk rehabilitation at training camp, skip Pro Day and let him resume college speaking or …
“I said, ‘Why don’t you go get a ball and throw some?’ “Meyer said.” “And he said, ‘Let’s go.’ That was. The next thing I know, we’re here on a professional day they put together. This is a guy who loves football and has confidence in his skills. ”
With the NFL combination significantly altered by COVID-19 restrictions, all of this year’s pre-draft training will take place on college campuses. Lawrence trains with Jordan Palmer, the former NFL defender, who coaches many of the top teams each season, including Sam Darnold of the Jets. There were only two weeks in their plan, when the training date changed.
“Just to show that I’m no different than anyone else,” Lawrence said. “I still want to do the right thing.
“It’s not like the original plan – to have two months of training in California, then come back on March 11 and give a show. But life happens sometimes. It was important for me to show that I can adapt and I’m still willing to come here, throw and give the teams a chance to see me. ”
Lawrence checked all the important measuring boxes: 6 feet-5 5/8 inches tall, 213 pounds and 10-inch hands.
“About … I think I can start throwing at 6-8 weeks after surgery and look at the full 4-5 month clearance,” Lawrence said. “I will be able to do things before that. It shouldn’t be too bad. You just have to disintegrate very hard. I’m excited to fix this and start on the road to health. “