Dabo Swinney’s decision to make a change at starting quarterback appears to have cost Clemson its most experienced signal caller as Kelly Bryant reportedly plans to transfer from the school. The senior quarterback led Clemson to a No. 1 ranking in the final College Football Playoff last season after throwing for 2,802 yards and 13 touchdowns in addition to 665 rushing yards and another 11 scores on the ground.

Due to the new NCAA redshirt rules, players can compete in up to four games and still redshirt. Considering Clemson has yet to reach that threshold this season, Bryant could redshirt and transfer, clearing the way for him to start for another school in 2019.

News of Bryant’s pending transfer was first reported by Manie Robinson, The Greenville News. Bryant offered these comments to The Greenville News announcing his decision.

“They asked me how I felt about it,” Bryant said, recalling his meeting with Swinney. “I was like, ‘I’m not discrediting Trevor. He’s doing everything asked of him, but on my side of it, I feel like I haven’t done anything to not be the starter. I’ve been here. I’ve waited my turn. I’ve done everything y’all have asked me to do, plus more.’

“I’ve never been a distraction. I’ve never been in trouble with anything. To me, it was kind of a slap in the face.”

Swinney handed the starting job at Clemson to true freshman Trevor Lawrence this week, leading to this chain of events. Lawrence was rated by many as the No. 1 overall recruit in the nation for the 2018 recruiting cycle after breaking many of Deshaun Watson’s Georgia state high school records.