Kelly Bryant won't receive a Clemson national championship ring.
Tigers coach Dabo Swinney said Wednesday that the quarterback's decision to leave the program ensured that he won't enjoy the spoils from Clemson's title victory over Alabama in January.
"He wasn't on the team. You've gotta be on the team to get a ring," Swinney said to Chris Low of ESPN.
"I love Kelly and appreciate what he did for us, but he decided to move on."
Bryant was Clemson's starting quarterback during a 12-2 season in 2017, which culminated in a CFP semifinal loss to Alabama. He split time with freshman Trevor Lawrence through the first four games of the following campaign before Swinney declared Lawrence to be the starter. Bryant then chose to transfer.
Clemson continued to run the table with Lawrence at the helm, culminating in a 15-0 season and a 44-16 blowout of Alabama in the national title game.
Bryant and Swinney have not spoken since.
"Hopefully we'll be able to visit and sit down and have a good conversation, but he's focused on what he's trying to do, and we wish him the best," Swinney said. "He's a graduate of Clemson and always will be and was a heck of a player for us, but my job is to do what's best for the team."
