What You Need to Know About 2018 No. 1 QB Trevor Lawrence

While they have three more years to play at the high school level, a handful of rising sophomores have already flashed on the radar of college coaches across the country.

Perhaps atop that list is 5-star quarterback Trevor Lawrence—who was named the nation’s top prospect in the 2018 class, as noted by Barton Simmons of 247Sports. 

"That's great," Lawrence told Simmons upon hearing his new ranking. "I'm really happy my hard work is paying off but we've still got this season coming up. This will be a big one. You can expect to see us in the [Georgia] Dome at the end of the season. I'm ready for [the expectations] and this team is ready for it. It's going to be something to watch this year."

The 6’5”, 191-pound Georgia native already has 14 offers to his credit, with schools such as Clemson, Georgia, LSU, Ole Miss and Tennessee among the programs that have already tendered him.

"

Blessed to receive my 14th offer from The University of Georgia #godawgs pic.twitter.com/AJidgHOCvx

— Trevor Lawrence (@Trevorlawrencee) July 19, 2015"

But what makes him a potential game-changing prospect at the next level?

For starters, Lawrence has the type of frame and skill set that excites coaches. However, he also produced at a high level in his first year as a starter. 

Last year as a freshman, Lawrence threw for 3,042 yards and 26 touchdowns while leading his Cartersville High School squad to a 12-2 record and a trip the Georgia Class AAAA semifinals.

But it’s the intangible qualities he displayed last season that have observers in the recruiting world gushing about his potential.

As Rusty Mansell of Dawgs247 detailed to Simmons, Lawrence has the mental toughness and competitive resolve that it takes to become an elite passer.

"

There was an interception he threw in the semifinal game against Buford. He turned around and chased him and got KO'd on a crack back block. It was a huge hit. He got himself up, got to the sideline and I was on the sideline and walked over just to see if he was ok. He was pushing the trainers off and he wanted to talk to his offensive line. He said 'guys lets go, that one was on me. Let's get it back'. He showed me that he's got some intangibles, he was a leader at an early age and he's got some serious toughness.

"

With a majority of colleges already full at quarterback for the 2016 cycle, it’s likely the college interest in underclassmen prospects such as Lawrence will continue to expand in the coming months.

According to Chris Kirschner of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Lawrence named Tennessee as an early front-runner in his recruitment.

However, a recent offer from in-state power Georgia has the Bulldogs trending with him, as noted by Mansell.

It’s still early in his recruiting process, but Lawrence admits he’s pondered a timeline for possibly making a decision.

“Hopefully I’ll know what I want to do by this time next year and hopefully make my commitment and get that set,” Lawrence told Ryan Callahan of 247Sports. “But if I don’t know where I want to go, I’m not going to rush it. I’ll just wait until I know for sure where I want to go.”

Regardless of when he decides, Lawrence has already established himself as a prospect who will command the attention of fans, college coaches and recruiting analysts moving forward.

Sanjay Kirpalani is a National Recruiting Analyst for Bleacher Report. Unless otherwise noted, all quotes obtained firsthand and all recruiting information courtesy of 247Sports.