The Watson Era

by Mickey Plyler - Radio Host - Wed Sep 24 06:46:57 GMT-04:00 2014

The Watson Era

Saturday night is a new beginning for Clemson football. Saturday night is the start of the Deshaun WatsonDeshaun Watson
Fr. Quarterback
#4 6-3, 204
Gainesville, GA
View Full Profile Era.

You could say that it started with the fourth drive in the FSU game but this is the first time fans go into a game knowing Watson is the guy and there is a buzz around the Clemson program as a result.

At this point the sample size is only three games but the true freshman from Gainesville, GA has dazzled.

If Watson is anything close to being as good as I think he is then Clemson football is in great shape the next three or four seasons.

What we have seen from Watson has given the fan base a renewed enthusiasm in the face of a 1-2 start.

The thing I like about Watson the most is his poise. He doesn't look like a true freshman. The moment has not been too big for him. In the season opener in Athens he came into the game and looked as cool as a cucumber. I would think most freshmen playing 30 minutes from their hometown in a hostile environment would show some signs of nerves. Watson looked like he had been doing this all of his life. His eyes didn't look scared. He looked focused on the process and came into the game to deliver two beautiful passes in his first drive as a Tiger, including a phenomenal touchdown pass to Charone PeakeCharone Peake
RS Jr. Wide Receiver
#19 6-3, 204
Moore, SC
View Full Profile .

Shortly after touching The Rock for the first time in his first home game, Watson ripped off more terrific throws and led his team to four touchdowns in his four drives. His only incompletion was a ball that could have been caught.

And last week in a hostile environment against the nation's top-ranked team and a future NFL secondary Watson went 19 of 28 and won the ACC's Rookie-of-the-Week award. In doing so he looked calm and never backed down from the moment.

Watson's mobility in the pocket is perhaps the thing that impresses me next. He moves around in the pocket after feeling pressure while he keeps his eyes looking downfield. Watson senses pressure and escapes to buy extra time in the pocket.

When flushed from the pocket his arm strength and accuracy take over. The throw he made to Adam HumphriesAdam Humphries
Sr. Wide Receiver
#13 5-11, 193
Spartanburg, SC
View Full Profile on the run in Tallahassee is an example of a physical marvel.

Watson has been described as a dual threat quarterback and can hurt the defense when he decides to run, but I would still consider him a passer first. The zone read is a part of his game but at this point it is not the strength of his game.

Finally, another extremely impressive aspect of this freshman is his humble nature. As humans one of our weaknesses is handling success. Most of us crumble with success. At this point I love what I see and hear from Watson. Unlike many egos, Watson appears to be grounded and well suited for the accolades that could spoil others.

There is a lot to like about this freshman and he comes along at a point where Clemson fans needs something to cling to. A 1-2 start without the potential success in the future with Watson wouldn't be quite as intriguing or exciting as the next nine games appear to be with him.

Watson is a guy that you can build a program around. Clemson football had a great brand with C.J. SpillerC.J. Spiller
Pro Running Back
#28 5-11, 195
Lake Butler, FL
View Full Profile . Chad MorrisChad Morris
Offensive Coordinator / QBs
View Full Profile , Tajh BoydTajh Boyd
Quarterback (2009 - 2013)
#10 6-1, 225
Hampton, VA
View Full Profile , Nuk Hopkins and Sammy WatkinsSammy Watkins
Wide Receiver (2011 - 2013)
#2 6-1, 205
Fort Myers, FL
View Full Profile built another brand in another era. Saturday night begins a new era. The Deshaun Watson Era.

Is it fair to put so much on the shoulders of a true freshman? After all, Clemson does have seniors like Grady JarrettGrady Jarrett
Sr. Defensive Tackle
#50 6-1, 290
Conyers, GA
View Full Profile , Vic BeasleyVic Beasley
RS Sr. Defensive End
#3 6-2, 236
Adairsville, GA
View Full Profile and Stephone AnthonyStephone Anthony
Sr. Linebacker
#42 6-2, 244
Polkton, NC
View Full Profile in this season. To call it an era with a true freshman at the helm might not be fair to others in the program. However, if most of us are honest, the reason for excitement about Saturday night starts with the first start for Deshaun Watson. The next three or four years appear to be bright when you think about the signing class of offensive linemen like Mitch Hyatt, Jake Fruhmorgen and Noah Green, plus the skill athletes like Deon Cain and Ray Ray McCloud III. But it all starts with Watson and it all starts Saturday night in Death Valley.

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Defensive Tackle (2008 - 2011)
#98 6-2, 310
Thomasville, GA
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# 0, 0
,
View Full Profile and family, Catherine Sewell, Randy Davenport, Patrick DeStefanoPatrick DeStefano
Offensive Line (2012 - 2013)
#71 6-5, 275
Spartanburg, SC
View Full Profile , David Vaughn, Keith Dalton, B.T., Bill Hilbig, Rita Elrod Hammond and family, Jim McKeller, Tony Alewine, Sharon Storck, Dick Baird, Richard Bagnal, Tavaris BarnesTavaris Barnes
RS Sr. Defensive End
#9 6-4, 273
Jacksonville, FL
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