CLEMSON FOOTBALL

Watson's
This stiff arm is as close as the humble Watson would get to a Heisman pose in 2014.

Watson's "unbelievable" ability has national media talking Heisman


by - Staff Writer -

Prior to Clemson's November game at Wake Forest last season, NFL scouts and personnel directors waited outside of the Clemson tunnel for Deshaun Watson Deshaun Watson
So. Quarterback
#4 6-2, 205
Gainesville, GA

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to appear and warm up, and that tells you all you need to know about how the Gainesville native is perceived nationally.

Watson was recovering from a broken bone in his hand, and while it was expected that he wouldn't play against the Demon Deacons, those same NFL scouts watched and dissected Watson's every move. We approached one of those scouts and asked why the interest in a freshman who had started just four games. The answer was brief but telling, as the scout said, "He is already one of best players in the country from a skill set perspective. He reminds me of a polished Marcus Mariota, and there is no doubt that he will be either the best player in the country in 2015 or one of the three best. It's just a matter of time. He's that good."

Watson later suffered a torn ACL that shelved him for the bowl game, but he appeared to be in fighting shape at Dabo SwinneyDabo Swinney
Head Coach
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's camps in June, and his appearance at the Elite 11 Quarterback Challenge in Oregon last week had the national pundits once again gushing about Watson's potential. One even threw out the H word – Heisman.

The pundit – Bleacher Report’s Michael Felder – sent a message to Clemson fans after seeing the talented sophomore.

“I got a chance to see Deshaun Watson. I'll tell you the first thing Clemson fans shouldn’t worry about,” Michael Felder said after watching one of the Elite 11 workouts. “Is he healthy? I think absolutely. This is a kid that moves around and is so fluid, so smooth. He was taking his drops and showing quickness in drops. And he’s got the arm, leg strength to push off and deliver the football with velocity. I think that’s a big plus for him. Clemson fans don’t need to worry about that health because he certainly looks good right now when I watch him throw.”

Despite the fact that Watson has yet to be cleared by Clemson’s medical staff to participate in football activities, Felder said Clemson's starting quarterback is already in prime football condition.

“Seeing him go through all the drills, in shape to go through all the high-pressure drills where they’re running and they’re moving – that’s a big plus for Tiger fans,” Felder said. “This is a kid that’s going to be in New York City with an opportunity to win a Heisman trophy. I’m saying it right now in July.”

Athlon's Braden Gall - who also hosts several college football shows on satellite radio - tells TigerNet that Watson has the attention of the country.

"I think from a national perspective Deshaun Watson is as highly-regarded by the national media as it is from the guys who cover him. His ability is unbelievable," Gall said. "It's as good as anything we've seen at his age in college. I think the sky is absolutely the limit. He has Heisman Trophy capabilities. His talent is just obvious. You know as well as I know the numbers the offense puts up when he is on the field versus what it is when he isn't on the field are pretty obvious. There are three big ifs for this program heading into the season, and one of those is keeping Deshaun healthy. If he is healthy then the sky is absolutely the limit. He can be the ACC Player of the Year and he can lead this team to a conference title and even lead this team to a playoff berth."

Add in the bevy of receiving targets that Watson has in his arsenal – Mike WilliamsMike Williams
Jr. Wide Receiver
#7 6-4, 210
Vance, SC

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, Artavis ScottArtavis Scott
So. Wide Receiver
#3 5-10, 190
Oldsmar, FL

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, Charone PeakeCharone Peake
Gr. Wide Receiver
#19 6-2, 205
Moore, SC

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, Deon CainDeon Cain
Fr. Wide Receiver
# 6-1, 190
Tampa, FL

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and Trevion ThompsonTrevion Thompson
RS Fr. Wide Receiver
#1 6-2, 195
Durham, NC

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– and Felder said that it wouldn’t surprise him if the Tigers won the Atlantic.

“A kid that can spin, a kid that obviously has the opportunity to put the ball in his receivers’ hands – and you talk about receivers, Clemson may have the best group in the country,” Felder said. “Seeing him healthy is the key here and seeing him do the things we know he can do. Putting the football on the money and making it easy for people to catch it – I love watching him play. Getting a chance to see him in person – it makes me feel real good about penciling in the Tigers to Charlotte for a chance to win an ACC Championship.”

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Subject (Replies: 25) Author
spacer New Story: Watson's "unbelievable" ability has national media talking Heisman
TigerNet News®
spacer Ubiquitous TNet response: "Water is wet." ;~) Nice article.***
SOLOS®
spacer I do not care how good you are
Tigers84a
spacer Having said that , I so hope he stays healthy
Tigers84a
spacer He's put on some good lean muscle weight.
TigerFanX2000
spacer all aloud: why award the heisman before the season's over?
jackorange®
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TigerFaction
spacer Re: New Story: Watson's "unbelievable" ability has national media talking Heisman
Yoshimuf
spacer I agree...we MUST beat FSU this year. No questions asked.***
TigerFanX2000
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Dugatiger®
spacer Re: New Story: Watson's "unbelievable" ability has national media talking Heisman
HumbleServant®
spacer Re: New Story: Watson's "unbelievable" ability has national media talking Heisman
Dugatiger®
spacer Dugatiger, i didn't mean for my comment to sound like
HumbleServant®
spacer Re: Dugatiger, i didn't mean for my comment to sound like
HumbleServant®
spacer Re: Dugatiger, i didn't mean for my comment to sound like
Dugatiger®
spacer Re: New Story: Watson's "unbelievable" ability has national media talking Heisman
Yoshimuf
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Dugatiger®
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irmotig®
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OneChristianGuy
spacer You never?
ClemsonTiger1988®
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prsncguy
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LemonTiger®
spacer Re: New Story: Watson's "unbelievable" ability has national media talking Heisman
HumbleServant®
spacer I've never had a tatoo, however, I look at the practice as
hartins®
spacer SayinG.. Get ready Boys & Girls to go to the biG 4 game parties & beyond Soon!
lightbulbbill®
spacer Hopefully all this media attention results in our sneaking into the top 15-18 preseason ranks***
onederkid