Clemson's Swinney: Bryant would be starting QB if season began today

Kelly Bryant may have only completed 13 passes over the last two years backing up Deshaun Watson, but 2017 is a new year, and the soon-to-be junior finds himself with a good shot at becoming Clemson's starting quarterback.

Saturday saw the Tigers' signal-callers go live for the third time this offseason during their spring game, and despite no quarterback stealing the show, head coach Dabo Swinney said he sees Bryant at the head of the pack.

The 47-year-old isn't ready to officially anoint him as the official opening-game starter, but said that if the season started today, he would be the man.

"If we played a game today, Kelly would be the guy," Swinney said, according to David M. Hale of ESPN. "But we don't play today. We play in September, and everything counts. I'm pleased with the spring all of them have had."

The void left by Watson, who surpassed 4,000 passing yards each of the last two seasons and led the Tigers to a national championship last year, is undoubtedly the biggest in camp right now. Along with Bryant, the Tigers have Zerrick Cooper, Tucker Israel, and the No. 1 quarterback recruit in the nation, Hunter Johnson, vying for a high spot on the depth chart.

"We signed them all for a reason," Swinney said. "We definitely have the ingredients to be a team that has a chance."

The job is by no means locked up for Bryant simply because he's the elder statesman. Swinney said his competition is getting better every day, and that more growth will happen before the season begins.

"Zerrick and Hunter have had some really good days (this spring)," he said, "and they've had some inconsistent days. Both are learning, growing every day. They'll take that into the summer, and by the time we get to fall, you'll see the transformation."