Watson returns to New York stage
CLEMSON, S.C. — He doesn’t flash that easygoing smile as frequently. His play gets scrutinized and picked apart more, because many of the folks who gushed about Deshaun Watson’s game a season ago now focus on the overthrows and critical interceptions.
Still, Clemson’s junior quarterback is back in the same spot — a Heisman Trophy finalist.
The journey this time has not been as smooth. He apologized in September after two closer-than-expected wins for not bringing the same joy into his game as he had the first two years. He’s led prime-time, fourth-quarter comebacks against No. 16 Louisville and No. 12 Florida State and thrown three interceptions that helped Pitt pull off a stunning upset, a 43-42 victory that was Clemson’s first home loss since Watson was in high school.
Watson believes he is in part tagged with matching the success he had in 2015 when he became the first player in the Football Bowl Subdivision to throw for 4,000 yards and rush for 1,000. He capped it with a virtuoso performance against Alabama in the national title game, accounting for four touchdowns and 478 yards in a 45-40 loss.
Once last season ended, Watson was elevated to the face of college football, a favorite for the Heisman who would command a deep, talented Tigers attack that had potential to be the best in the game. When that did not happen immediately, Watson became ripe for criticism.
“Personally, I don’t really care about anybody else’s opinions and expectations. I understand what I’m doing, and my teammates do, too,” he said.
Watson has dealt with more difficult things in life. His mother, Deann , was diagnosed with cancer of the tongue while he was at Gainesville (Ga.) High. Deann Watson spent six months in the hospital after her glossectomy, an operation to remove her tongue that takes breast tissue to rebuild the tongue.
Watson’s mother was declared cancer-free in 2012, although she needs to use a feeding tube for the rest of her life.
Watson’s numbers this season belie the eye test. He’s thrown for 3,626 yards and 34 TDs, up from 3,223 and 27 touchdowns during the regular season in 2015. His rushing numbers have dropped, but so have Watson’s carries.
“He’s the best player in college football,” Clemson coach Dabo Swinney said. “I mean, just that simple.”