Watson Named to O’Brien Watch List

CLEMSON, S.C. — Deshaun Watson is one of 24 quarterbacks from across the country named to the Davey O’Brien Watch List on Thursday. The award is presented each year to the top quarterback in college football. It will be presented on December 10 in Atlanta, Ga., at the Home Depot College Football Awards show.

Watson is one of four ACC players on the list.  The others are Brad Kaaya of Miami (FL), Justin Thomas of Georgia Tech and Marquise Williams of North Carolina. Kaaya and Thomas will both play against Clemson this year.

Watson is one of just five sophomores on the O’Brien Watch list. The others are Jeremy Johnson of Auburn, Kaaya of Miami (Fla.), Paxton Lynch of Memphis and Anu Solomon of Arizona.

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 1466 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 O’Brien 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.