Kelly Bryant transfer: Former Clemson players, and a few Gamecocks, react

By Andrew Ramspacher

Updated September 26, 2018 1:24 PM

News of Kelly Bryant’s transfer from Clemson has, naturally, sparked a wave of Twitter reaction from former Tiger players, national media members and even ex-Gamecocks.

Former Clemson players

Freshman Trevor Lawrence was named Clemson’s starting quarterback on Monday, prompting Bryant’s departure. Van Smith, a Clemson safety from 2015-17, defended Bryant’s decision.

Yall Talkin Bout Competition! Kids Are Weak NO Our Careers Are On The Line! We Are Trying To Get To The Next Level!
— VanSmithII (@PrettyPYREX23) September 26, 2018

Smith also took a screen-shot of what Bryant told The Greenville News.

Imma Just Leave These Here pic.twitter.com/63dNzuUo2l
— VanSmithII (@PrettyPYREX23) September 26, 2018

Former Clemson safety Jadar Johnson quote-tweeted Smith and added his own comment.

they talking bout scared of competition ? it’s hard to compete with promises that was made b4 anybody even touched the field . Fans swear they analysts now https://t.co/jIPL34QlkE
— Jadar Johnson (@jadar803) September 26, 2018

Tyrone Crowder played on Clemson’s offensive line from 2014-17. He also defended his former teammate, while adding some perspective on Bryant’s situation.

Just because you watch it on tv or in person. Let’s not pretend you know what’s it’s like to be in their shoes. There’s so much more.
— Tyrone Crowder (@ImSoRone) September 26, 2018

Former Clemson quarterback Tajh Boyd led the Tigers to the ACC championship in 2011 and was a first-team All-American in 2012. He looked at both sides of the situation.

You may not agree with his verbage but if that’s what HE felt about the situation than that’s how he felt. No need to disbar him from Clemson because of a decision that he made. When it’s all said and done he has to be the one who looks in the mirror and live with it. Support him
— Tajh Boyd (@TajhB10) September 26, 2018

I have full faith and know that Coach Swinney and Co. made the decision that they felt was best for the team and KB made the decision that he thought was best for him, simple as that.
— Tajh Boyd (@TajhB10) September 26, 2018

We are all speculating about “the comments he made” but in reality we don’t know the dynamic of what was said or done in the locker room and in the meeting rooms. The man has been continuously facing ridicule since he took over for Wat and after TL’s debut in the spring game.
— Tajh Boyd (@TajhB10) September 26, 2018

Turned his back on the team lol you don’t just turn your back on your brothers when you put the work in that they do. Summer, Winter, Blood, Sweat, Grind. That’s forever right there! You may not always agree with with what your fam does but you always wish the best for them.
— Tajh Boyd (@TajhB10) September 26, 2018

Trevor Lawrence is undoubtedly one of the most gifted passers in all of college football. Kelly wants to play football, if he never steps on the field his collegiate career is done. You want to prolong the opportunity to play for as long as you. Once you’re done you’re done
— Tajh Boyd (@TajhB10) September 26, 2018

There’s not a bone in my body that thinks the staff handled the situation wrong. Moment you start paying for tickets it becomes a business and you just hope that the players see that side of it. Life isn’t fair and we don’t always get what we want or what we think we deserve.
— Tajh Boyd (@TajhB10) September 26, 2018

Former USC players

Former USC running back Mike Davis is a brother of James Davis, a former Clemson RB.

Feel bad for Kelly Bryant smh and I’m not a Clemson fan at all.
— IG MikeDavisRB (@MikeDavisRB) September 26, 2018

Former USC QB Perry Orth weighed in.

I’ve got a ton respect for Kelly Bryant. The situation he is dealing with is absolutely brutal, especially considering he has truly only lost 1 game as a starter. Hold your head up big guy, I will almost guarantee Clemson is going to need him to win a few games down the stretch! https://t.co/BTymoSC74B
— Perry Orth (@PerryOrth10) September 26, 2018

Former USC baseball player LT Tolbert is a “Kelly Bryant fan.”

The picture was before last season, when they gave him a legit shot to win the job and he clearly did. As a Kelly Bryant fan, it was frustrating to watch him get pulled every time he threw an INCOMPLETION, but then go running for him when you couldn’t finish the job at A&M.
— LT Tolbert (@LtTolbert1) September 26, 2018

National media

Woody Wommack of Rivals noted Lawrence’s impact on the Clemson QB room.

Since the arrival of Trevor Lawrence at Clemson, the following quarterbacks have transferred

5* Hunter Johnson
4* Zerrick Cooper
4* Kelly Bryant
3* Tucker Isreal

4* Chase Brice is the only QB left on the roster from the pre-Trevor era
— Woody Wommack (@RivalsWoody) September 26, 2018

Pat Forde of Yahoo Sports gave an edge to Alabama when it comes to which national title contender has handled its QB situation better this season.

That's a two-day no show after being demoted to make room for Trevor Lawrence. Looks like the pendulum swings back to Alabama as the program handling a QB controversy best. https://t.co/mXT8bMv9rx
— Pat Forde (@YahooForde) September 26, 2018

Dan Wolken of USA Today echoed Forde.

I don’t blame him for transferring but how much propaganda was put into the world over the past two months about how well Bryant/Clemson were handling the situation? Clearly behind the scenes reality didn’t match the narrative.
— Dan Wolken (@DanWolken) September 26, 2018

Stewart Mandel of The Athletic flashed things back to last season’s Playoff game between the Tigers and Crimson Tide.

Crazy to think that both of the starting QBs in last year’s Alabama-Clemson playoff game have since lost their jobs.
— Stewart Mandel (@slmandel) September 26, 2018

This story was originally published September 26, 2018 at 1:15 PM.

Former Clemson players

Former USC players

National media

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