CLEMSON, S.C. (AP) Veteran Kelly Bryant is Clemson's starting quarterback, holding off promising freshman Trevor Lawrence.

The second-ranked Tigers open the season Saturday at home against Furman. The team released its first depth chart Monday with Bryant on top in the closely watched competition.

Bryant started last season and led Clemson to a 12-2 record and a third straight Atlantic Coast Conference championship and College Football Playoff appearance.

But a 24-6 loss to eventual national champion Alabama in the semifinals where Clemson's offense was ineffective led some Tiger fans to look to the 6-foot-6 Lawrence to take over.

Lawrence was the country's second-best college prospect according to ESPN. Lawrence also put on the best show back in April at the team's spring game, completing 11 of 16 passes for 122 yards that included a picture-perfect, 50-yard touchdown throw to Tee Higgins.

Lawrence came to campus having eclipsed the Georgia high school records for total passing yards and passing TDs that were formerly held by Clemson national championship passer Deshaun Watson.

Still, Clemson coach Dabo Swinney had indicated that Bryant was separating himself from Lawrence and freshman Chase Brice as fall camp pushed on.

Bryant said he stayed calm and focused through the offseason, confident he could maintain his spot.

''I feel like when I come out here and step on the field, I am the starter,'' Bryant said. ''I try and be the leader for all the guys.''

Bryant showed a different style last season from Watson's throw-it-down-the-field approach the previous two years.

Bryant was selective in his passes and finished third on the Tigers with 665 rushing yards. He was second with 11 rushing touchdowns.

Clemson's passing yards of 3,297 was its fewest in a season since throwing for 2,543 yards in 2010.