Latest news with #XLPrimetime
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Former LSU HC Issues Blunt Reality Check to Brian Kelly Before Tigers' 2025 Season
While most college football programs would be happy to finish 9-4 or 10-3, which were the results for the LSU Tigers over the last two seasons, the expectations for the SEC powerhouse are always very high. The Tigers last won a national championship in 2019 and have produced two Heisman winners in the past decade. Since his arrival ahead of the 2022 college football season, head coach Brian Kelly has compiled a 29-11 record, but that still may not be good enough for the decision-makers inside this program. Advertisement Former LSU head coach Ed Orgeron appeared on "XL Primetime" to discuss LSU football and the lofty expectations that are likely weighing upon Kelly. "Expectations at LSU are No. 1 or nothing! I mean, that's it! LSU expects you to win the national championship. They don't expect you to win it every year, but Coach Saban won it in his third year, Les Miles won it in his third year, and I won it in my third year. LSU Tigers head coach Brian Kelly. Denny Medley-Imagn Images "I think (Kelly) has a really good team, a really good quarterback in Garrett Nussmeier. He's got a tough opener in Clemson. The expectations bring on a lot of pressure, especially when you haven't won a championship yet. The pressure there is to win a championship." Advertisement Orgeron began at LSU before the 2015 season as the team's defensive line coach. He was named the interim head coach after Miles was fired early in the 2016 season. In Orgeron's third full season as the team's head coach, he led the Tigers to a perfect 15-0 record and secured LSU's fourth national championship. Over the next two seasons, the wheels came off for the Tigers as they compiled an 11-11 record with back-to-back .500 records. Kelly was hired as Orgeron's successor after more than a decade leading Notre Dame. In 12 years with the Fighting Irish, Kelly led the college football powerhouse to a 92-39 record. In a recent way-too-early college football rankings, ESPN's Mark Schlabach lists the Tigers at No. 6. He believes LSU should be in the mix for an SEC championship. Advertisement LSU will begin this upcoming season on the road against Clemson on Saturday, August 30 at 7:30 p.m. ET. Related: College Football Powerhouse Lands No. 1 Transfer Portal Class After 9-4 Season Related: LSU Makes Major Addition to Coaching Staff With Former All-Pro
USA Today
18-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Dabo Swinney still sees a bright NFL future ahead of former Clemson star Trevor Lawrence
Dabo Swinney still sees a bright NFL future ahead of former Clemson star Trevor Lawrence Dabo Swinney still has high praise for Trevor Lawrence as the former Clemson star prepares for his fifth NFL season. During an appearance on XL Primetime in Jacksonville, Swinney discussed Lawrence's journey, reflecting on the quarterback's success in college and how it compares to the tougher path he's faced with the Jaguars. Lawrence was once one of the most decorated winners in football — going 52-2 in high school, then 34-2 at Clemson, where he led the Tigers to three College Football Playoff appearances, two national title games, and an ACC Championship every year. Things haven't gone quite as smoothly in the NFL, where he holds a 23-39 record as a starter, including the playoffs. 'He wins. If you know anything about Trevor Lawrence, just go back and look at his career. He's always won. Forever,' Swinney said. 'This guy, what'd he lose, one game in high school maybe, maybe two. And then he comes to Clemson and wins 29 straight and (played in) back-to-back national championship games, three straight playoffs, three straight conference (championship) games. He was second in the Heisman (Trophy voting in 2020). I mean, he's just always won.' Lawrence's NFL journey has been more complicated. While he earned Pro Bowl honors in 2022 and led the Jaguars to a playoff win over the Chargers that season, he's also had to deal with injuries, inconsistency, and a rebuild around him in Jacksonville. Last year, he appeared in only 10 games and was placed on injured reserve in December after suffering both a concussion and an AC joint sprain in his non-throwing shoulder. He completed 60.6 percent of his passes with 11 touchdowns and seven interceptions before undergoing surgery in mid-December. 'There's been some challenges that he's had to deal with, and part of that's being in the NFL,' Swinney said. 'I mean, how many undefeated teams have there been in the NFL? It's a different deal. And then he's had some injury. He was never a guy that really battled a lot of injuries, and he's had a couple of tough breaks. But he's as tough as they come.' Despite the setbacks, Lawrence's long-term potential hasn't changed in Swinney's eyes. The Jaguars clearly feel the same, having recently committed to a five-year, $275 million extension. Through his first four seasons, Lawrence has completed 63.3 percent of his passes for 13,815 yards, 69 touchdowns, and 46 interceptions over 60 games. 'He's incredibly smart, incredibly gifted,' Swinney added. 'He's got a long future ahead of him and I'm excited to watch it all play out.' Contact us @Clemson_Wire on X, and like our page on Facebook for ongoing coverage of Clemson Tigers news and notes, plus opinions.
Yahoo
17-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Dabo Swinney Sends Trevor Lawrence Message After Recent Criticism
Trevor Lawrence remains the cornerstone of the Jacksonville Jaguars' future — and if you ask his former college coach, his story is still far from being fully written. Appearing on Jacksonville's XL Primetime radio show, Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney offered his full-throated support for the former No. 1 overall pick, defending Lawrence's NFL journey while pointing to the track record that made him a generational prospect in the first place. Advertisement 'He wins,' Swinney said. 'If you know anything about Trevor Lawrence, just go back and look at his career. He's always won — forever.' Swinney, who coached Lawrence through a near-flawless college career that included a national championship as a freshman and three College Football Playoff appearances, isn't blind to the ups and downs his former quarterback has faced in Jacksonville. But he's quick to remind critics that Lawrence's résumé still speaks volumes. 'This guy lost maybe one or two games in high school, comes to Clemson and wins 29 straight, goes to back-to-back national championship games, three straight playoff appearances, three straight conference championships. He was second in the Heisman voting. He's just always won.' Bob Self/Florida Times-Union-USA TODAY NETWOR NFL Realities and Growing Pains Since entering the NFL in 2021, Lawrence has experienced both highs and lows. He led the Jaguars to a surprise AFC South title in 2022 and a playoff comeback win over the Chargers, but he also endured a rocky 2024 campaign that saw Jacksonville finish 4-13 amid injuries and inconsistency. Advertisement Swinney acknowledged those setbacks but also pointed to the challenges of transitioning to professional football — especially in a league where few teams consistently win. 'There's been some challenges that he's had to deal with, and part of that's just being in the NFL,' Swinney said. 'How many undefeated teams have there been in the NFL? It's a different deal.' Faith in the Future Lawrence has battled injuries in each of the past two seasons, including a shoulder issue that cost him a chunk of 2024. Despite that, Swinney says Lawrence's character and ability remain unquestioned. 'He's as tough as they come. Incredibly smart, incredibly gifted, and he's got a long future ahead of him. I'm excited to watch it all play out.' With a new head coach in Liam Coen, an upgraded offensive line, and explosive weapons like Travis Hunter and Brian Thomas Jr. added this offseason, Jacksonville has doubled down on making sure their franchise quarterback has the tools to succeed. Advertisement The pressure is mounting in Duval — but if Dabo Swinney is right, Lawrence's best days may finally be on the horizon. Related: Dabo Swinney Opens Up About Rare Death Valley Moment
