Watson Named National Player of the Week by Maxwell Award

Clemson, S.C.–Clemson quarterback Deshaun Watson has been named the National Player of the Week by the Maxwell Award.  It is the second major national player of the week award for Watson this week.  On  Sunday he was named National Player of the Week by the Walter Camp Foundation.

The Maxwell Award is presented each year to the outstanding player in college football.  On Tuesday, Watson was named one of 20 semifinalists for the award, which will be presented in December.

Watson accounted for six touchdowns in the win over NC State, five touchdown passes and one rushing score.  It marked the third time a Clemson quarterback accounted for at least six touchdowns in a game against NC State.  Woody Dantzler had four passing and two rushing in 2001 in a Clemson victory, then Tajh Boyd had eight touchdowns, five passing and three rushing, in a 2012 win over the Wolfpack.

Watson has moved into first place in the ACC and eighth in the nation in passing efficiency with a 168.3 figure this year, as he has complete a league best 70 percent of his passes for 1936 yards, and 20 touchdowns.

Watson’s passing efficiency on Saturday of 238.9 was the best in Clemson history for a single game given a minimum of 30 passes.   It was also the best for any FBS quarterback this past week among quarterbacks who threw at least 30 passes.

For his career, Watson now has an efficiency rating of 171.11, second best among all active FBS quarterbacks who have played thrown at least  325 passes. He is already sixth in Clemson history in career touchdown passes with 34.