Re: Trevor or Deshaun??

Rw43

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Dec 20, 2022, 8:05 PM

My insight is more about hindsight, but I’d take DW4 for a college program, TL16 for a professional one.

Both have outstanding strengths and talents, but sometimes living successfully also includes not allowing your weakness to undermine you.

In a college environment, DeShaun was able to utilize all of his versatile skill set and yet still be so humble as to inspire merely “Good” player-teammates to become “Great”. I have never seen a player, at any level, who inspired his teammates like him, and I think the college level is the only level where that degree is possible (and becoming even less possible due to the recent rule changes.) Trevor was a strong leader in college, but he already had NFL-capable talent around him, so the measure of his leadership didn’t have to stretch as far.

Deshaun and his teammates made the single greatest team play I’ve ever seen that had little to do with skill:
You may remember, In the shoulda-lost game vs NCSt, Deshaun completed the pass to Mike Williams, who fumbled while trying for extra yardage. As the DB was returning the fumble down the sideline or his way to a defensive TD, escorted by 2 teammates, DW4 threw himself under the knees of both blockers. A HEISMAN TROPHY FINALIST RISKED SERIOUS INJURY. NOT to make the tackle—to take out the blockers so his TE Leggett could make the tackle. Leggett was behind Watson and out of his vision at the time Watson took that risk, so how did Watson know that if he took out the blockers Leggett would make the play? Very simple: he knew where Leggett had been as the play developed, so he trusted him to be in position to make the tackle if Watson cleared the path. So he cleared the path.

That inspiration was contagious. The defense then took the baton (so to speak) and drove the Wuffies backwards for 3 plays before blocking the FGA that could have been the difference in the game.

In fact, when DW4 took over the leadership of our program, the ACC was like the Wild West. Between our offense turning the ball over frequently and our defense blowing coverages and several of our opponents having great games against us, our guys really had to rally together many times in ways TL’s teams didn’t.

Trevor’s years were remarkably empty of drama during the regular season, so he rarely had to pick his team up until December. Not saying he couldn’t have—he just didn’t have the need for it. But we’re seeing in Jax now how he can be the guy, not always head-and-shoulders above the rest, but sometimes having to dig deep within himself in order to lead his team to victory.

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I would take Trevor knowing now what we do about the baggage.

That said, if we consider on-the-field accomplishments, Deshaun is hands down the better option. Deshaun accomplished amazing things with much less talent surrounding him. He willed the team to a title in 2016. Not only that, but Deshaun ALWAYS brought his best to the biggest games. Deshaun turned the ball over more, but that's because he had less weapons than Trevor, and had to make things happen. In 2016, Deshaun had 1 backup NFL running back and 2 NFL receivers (one starting). In 2018, Trevor had a starting NFL running back and 6 wide receivers currently starting in the NFL.

For comparison:

Deshaun
2015 vs. #10 UNC - 420 yards, 5 touchdowns, 1 INT - Win
2015 vs. #4 Oklahoma - 332 yards, 3 TDs, 1 INT - Win
2015 vs. #1 Alabama - 478 yards, 4 TDs, 1 INT - Loss
2016 vs. #3 Louisville - 397 yards, 5 TDs, 3 INTs - Win
2016 vs. #3 Ohio State - 306 yards, 4 TDs, 2 INTs - Win
2016 vs. #2 Alabama - 463 yards, 4 TDs, 0 INTs - Win

So in 6 games against top 10 teams, Deshaun went 5-1, averaged 400 yards, 4.3 TDs, and 1.3 turnovers. With weaker teams than Trevor had.

Trevor
2018 vs. #3 Notre Dame - 333 yards, 3 TDs, 0 INTs - Win
2018 vs. #1 Alabama - 374 yards, 3 TDs, 0 INTs - Win
2019 vs. #2 Ohio State - 366 yards, 3 TDs, 0 INTs (but note he was very inaccurate in this game, 54% accuracy) - Win
2019 vs. #1 LSU - 262 yards, 1 TD, 1 turnover (even less accurate, 48% accuracy) - Loss
2020 vs. #4 Notre Dame - 389 yards, 3 touchdowns, 1 INT - Win
2020 vs. #2 Ohio State - 392 yards, 3 touchdowns, 2 turnovers - Loss

So in 6 games, Trevor went 4-2, averaged 352 yards, 2.6 touchdowns, and .7 turnovers.

Trevor was obviously awesome. Those kind of stats against top 10 teams is crazy. But he had absolutely loaded offenses (especially in 2018 and 2019). Deshaun had less, but accounted for 50 more yards of offense and 12 points more a game. The schedules are similar, but Deshaun typically played better defenses while Trevor played better offenses (4 of the 6 defenses Deshaun played were top 5, but only 1 of the 6 Trevor played was top 10).

Ignoring off-the-field issues, I'd choose Deshaun every time. He was flat out better.

Trevor or Deshaun??