Watson Named to Manning Award Watch List

CLEMSON, S.C. — Tiger sophomore Deshaun Watson was one of 30 quarterbacks from across the country named to the Manning Award Watch List on Thursday. The award is presented each year to the top quarterback in college football. It is the only college football award that takes postseason performance into account in the selection. Ten finalists will be named on November 25 and the winner will be announced on January 13.

Watson is one of five ACC players on the list. The others are Brad Kaaya of Miami (Fla.), Justin Thomas of Georgia Tech, Jacoby Brissett of NC State, and Marquise Williams of North Carolina.  Kaaya, Brissett and Thomas will play against Clemson this year.

Watson played in eight games last year for the Tigers, five as a starter (4-1). The native of Gainesville, Ga., completed 93-137 passes for 1,466 yards and 14 touchdowns with just two interceptions. His 10.7 yards per attempt and 188.7 passing efficiency led the nation among players with at least 125 passes.

He was named the National Quarterback of the Week by the Mannig Award last year for his performance against North Carolina. Making his first career start, Watson threw six touchdown passes to tie the ACC record and establish a Clemson record for scoring passes in a single game.

Watson was also named to the watch lists for the Davey O’Brien Award, Maxwell Award and the Walter Camp Player of the Year earlier this month.