Three Tigers ranked in NFL.com's Top 18 CFB Players

by Tony Crumpton - Assoc. Editor - Thu May 05 15:13:10 GMT-04:00 2016

NFL.com has released its latest article with their Top 100 players in college football for 2016 and three Clemson football players are actually ranked in the Top 18.

Heisman finalist Deshaun Watson was ranked the #1 overall player in 2016.

"Watson has the mobility, arm strength and calm demeanor you want from a quarterback," NFL.com said. "I'm most interested to see if he shows the ability to keep his eyes downfield while moving within the pocket (or rolling outside the pocket), instead of taking off after one read."

Watson finished third in the Heisman Trophy balloting last season and will be one of the favorites in 2016. Watson completed 333-of-491 passes for 4,104 yards and 35 touchdowns and also had 207 rushes for 1,105 yards and 12 scores this past season. He became the first player in NCAA FBS history to throw for 4,000 yards and rush for 1,000 yards in the same season.

Defensive tackle Carlos Watkins was #14 overall in the rankings.

"Despite being overshadowed by defensive ends Shaq Lawson and Kevin Dodd, people around college football know about Watkins' talent," NFL.com said. "The first-team All-ACC pick had 3.5 sacks last year after waiting three years for his time to come (he redshirted in 2013 after being in a car accident)."

Watkins had 67 tackles, 3.5 sacks and 8 tackles for loss and was the 8th leading tackler for Clemson at his nose guard position last season. After the regular season, he was named First-team All-ACC by the media.

Playmaker Mike Williams was listed at #18 in the rankings.

"Williams' 2015 season was cut short by a neck injury in the season opener," NFL.com said. "When healthy, the tall, rangy receiver creates separation down the sideline or seam using his length and innate ability to go up and get 50/50 balls. If fully recovered from surgery, he might be the best receiver in the country."

Williams has 79 catches for 1366 yards and ten touchdowns for his career at Clemson.

Other Clemson players ranked in the Top 100 was tight end Jordan Leggett at #79 and cornerback Cordrea Tankersley at #90.