Joe Douglas learned Friday what the Jets can’t have.
The Jets general manager attended when quarterback Trevor Lawrence threw 52 passes during an arranged workout for NFL staff inside the practice bubble at Clemson. But Douglas did not have the best views of the house.
The newly hired Jaguars coach Urban Meyer and Clemson coach Dabo Swinney joined the bench for most of the training session, including standing in the middle of the field about 15 yards away. from the best quarterback perspective since Andrew Luck in 2013, while others were in slow motion.
“Yeah, I saw him,” a smiling Lawrence said about Meyer on ACC Network. “It simply came to our notice then. I really can’t communicate here. “
Even with the lead in No. 2 pick in the 2021 NFL draft, the Jets were reduced to the necessary diligence over 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 surely had their eyes set on one of Lawrence’s teammates, the one selected by Cornell Powell, second- or third-round.
Free agent receiver Caleb Scott, a 2018 Vanderbilt product that has had time with the Seahawks and Packers, also blinked with a diving catch from a deep Lawrence ball.
The Jaguars are No. 1 in the selection and league sources tell The Post that a major draw to lure 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 took Clemson to the College Football Playoff title as a true freshman. Meyer praised Lawrence about his two years as a television analyst.
Lawrence is scheduled to undergo non-throwing shoulder surgery, so he arranged an individual workout at Meyer’s suggestion instead of waiting until Clemson’s Pro Day (March 11). Meyer told the NFL network that he discussed three options with Lawrence: wait until March 11 and risk rehab at the training camp, skip Pro Day and let his college resume talking or …
“I said,‘ Why aren’t you going to grab a ball and throw a little bit? ’” Meyer said. “And he said, ‘Let’s go.’ That was all. The next thing I know, we’re here on a Pro Day they prepared. He’s a guy who loves football and is confident in his ability.”
With the NFL combination significantly altered by COVID-19 restrictions, all pre-draft training this year must be conducted on college campuses. Lawrence is training with Jordan Palmer, the former NFL quarterback who leads many of the best teams each season, including Sam Darnold of the Jets. There were only two weeks left for his plan when the training date changed.
“Just to prove I’m no different to anyone,” Lawrence said. “I still want to do the process the right way.
“It’s not like the original plan: to have two months of training in California, then come back on March 11 and do a show. But life happens sometimes. It was important for me to show that I’m able to adjust- me and that I am still willing to go out here and give the teams opportunities to see me. ”
Lawrence reviewed all major measurement boxes: 6 feet 5 5/8 inches tall, 213 pounds, and 10-inch hands.
“Roughly … I think I can start throwing 6-8 weeks after surgery and look at a full 4-5 month settlement,” Lawrence said. “I can do things sooner. It shouldn’t be too bad. You just have to rehabilitate yourself very hard. I’m excited to solve it and start this path to health. “