2017 NFL Draft: Clemson expert describes Deshaun Watson’s pro potential
By John McCarty
To prep for the NFL Draft, we recently asked a Clemson football expert to tell us everything we wanted to know about the pro potential of Deshaun Watson.
The 2017 NFL Draft is nearly here, which means we’re excited to do homework on the guys who’ve drawn the Kansas City Chiefs interest. After all, it’s only fun to watch the draft if you know something of the guys being selected. To find out more about Deshaun Watson, the Clemson Tigers quarterback who won a national championship, we Interviewed Anthony Messenger of Rubbing the Rock, a FanSided website dedicated to all things Clemson.
Was Watson’s declaring for the draft expected?
Yes, Watson was expected to declare for the draft coming into the season, confirmed his intentions during the season and participating in all of the senior day activities.
Can you describe Watson’s presence in the locker room and in the community?
I don’t think there is a person in that town that would have a bad thing to say about Watson. On the team in specific, Watson was a calming force. Tigers won their fair share of close games during Watson’s three seasons due to his poise which spread throughout the team.
What about his work ethic, both on and off the field?
Watson has tremendous work ethic. Upon arriving at Clemson, Watson weighed in at about 200 pounds, during the NFL combine, Watson weighed in at 222 pounds. That is clear evidence of the work that Watson put in in the weight room. Off of the field, Watson may be even more impressive, earning a degree in communication in just three years of college. Deshaun Watson is no stranger to hard work.
What should the NFL team that selects Watson know about his game, and the person?
The NFL team that selects Deshaun Watson should know that they are getting a hard working young man who is comfortable in his own skin. Watson is just as good a person as he is a player. Watson is capable of being the face of a franchise from day one.
What are Watson’s strengths?
Watson’s biggest strength is his resolve. There is little, if anything, that can shake Deshaun Watson. The best evidence of this is his performance vs Alabama in the 2016 National Championship. During that contest Watson was battered by Alabama’s defense which was chock-full of NFL talent such as Jonathan Allen, Reuben Foster and Tim Williams. Despite taking a beating, Watson was able to guide Clemson to a game-winning drive with under three minutes to go in the game. You can’t teach toughness and Watson has a whole lot of it.
Conversely, his weakness?
Watson’s biggest weakness is compromising his base when throwing the football. There are times when Watson leaves his feet to make a throw, which takes a considerable amount of velocity off of the throw.