S1 uest Qto be the Best College football Curtis Samuel playoff Ohio State Buckeyes preview A SUPPLEMENT OF THE THURSDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2016 Deshaun Watson Jake Browning Jonathan Allen Clemson Tigers Washington Huskies Alabama Crimson Tide OPEN TO THE PUBLIC! 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He also receiver Mike Williams during the The Associated Press is the Tigers’ second- offseason. leading rusher with 526 yards and 6 TDs. “He knows he is the best player in the CLEMSON, S.C. — Clemson country. He doesn’t need a trophy to say quarterback Deshaun Watson believes he that,” Williams said. MIKE WILLIAMS, is the best player in the country no matter 6-3, 225, Junior, Wide And while the voters might have rejected what the Heisman Trophy voters say. Watson, the people who know football will Receiver Watson finished second in the Heisman validate his talent when he enters the NFL Williams combines size Trophy voting to Louisville QB Lamar draft, Clemson co-offensive coordinator Jeff and speed. He has 84 Jackson. Jackson’s rise also meant Watson Scott said. catches for 1,171 yards did not repeat even as first team All- AP photo “As soon as this season is over, the and 10 touchdowns this Atlantic Coast Conference quarterback. Clemson quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) looks scouts, GMs, head coaches and offensive season. He was first- Clemson coach Dabo Swinney agrees to pass during the first half of the Atlantic Coast coordinators will start speaking with team All-ACC. with Watson that he should have won the Conference championship game against Virginia Deshaun and he is going to go straight back Heisman Trophy. Tech. to the top,” Scott said. CARLOS WATKINS, Swinney said Heisman voters likely were remarkable season. Swinney said Watson showed his 6-3, 305, Senior, numbed by Watson’s amazing play over Watson’s 2016 stats are similar to his leadership by taking full advantage of the Defensive Tackle three years. 2015 numbers in almost every category. He experience of being a two time Heisman Watkins is the leader of a The quarterback is excited that his chief has thrown two more interceptions in two Trophy finalist without letting the third big, strong defensive line goal in college — winning the national fewer games, but he also has thrown just place finish in 2015 and the second place for Clemson. The championship — is still out there. four fewer passes so far this year than in finish in 2016 get to him. Tigers led the ACC in The Tigers (12-1, No. 2 CFP) play Ohio 2015 for the Tigers (12-1, No. 2 CFP) “I’m sure he’s disappointed. But he hasn’t scoring defense (18.4). State in the Fiesta Bowl on Dec. 31 in the Swinney said the Heisman Trophy has expressed that at all,” Swinney said. He had 10 tackles for semifinals of the College Football Playoff. been watered down as voters get swayed Watson said he is proud of his career no Watson, his coach and his teammates losses and 8.5 sacks. by the player who suddenly bursts on matter how the next game (or two) turns think the voters for the Heisman and the the scene and misses out on players like out. He wore this year’s ACC championship all-conference teams got it wrong when it BEN BOULWARE, Watson, who are consistently good over a hat to during interviews on Monday and comes to the Clemons QB. career. is aware of how he took a Clemson team 6-0, 235, Senior, “I’m the best player in the country. That’s “I think Deshaun is so good, people are on the cusp of being a national contender Linebacker how I think. That’s how I feel. People have numb to it,” Swinney said. to join Alabama as the only back-to-back Boulware was Co- their own way of voting,” Watson said Both Watson and Swinney say they playoff teams. The Tigers also won two Defensive Player of Monday as Clemson wraps up its first week aren’t knocking Jackson’s talent and straight ACC titles for the first time in 28 the Year in the ACC of practice before playing Ohio State. they understand how he won. But unlike seasons. and was second-team Watson finished second in the Heisman Jackson, who only has the Citrus Bowl Watson has the same cool demeanor All-American. He has Trophy voting this year, one spot better against LSU left before his season ends, responding to questions about what his 114 tackles, 9 tackles than 2015. But Jackson won the award, Watson hopes to be play two more games college career will mean without a national for losses and 4 sacks. His brother has and knocked Watson out of first-team and achieve the ultimate goal he had title as he has had about not winning the played three years in the Cincinnati Reds Atlantic Coast Conference quarterback as when arriving Clemson from Gainesville, Heisman. But his quiet words point out farm system. well — two disappointing blows to a driven Georgia. how much a fourth loss of his college career competitor like Watson. “You could put the national will hurt. CORBIN TANKERSLEY, Though his losses weren’t caused as championship trophy and the Heisman, he “I’ve already experienced not getting it 6-1, 200, Senior, much by a slide in his own play as Jackson’s wouldn’t think twice about which one to — felt how big that was,” Watson said. Defensive Back Tankersley was first- team All-ACC and a Clemson wide first-team All-American. Clemson, Williams glad to be back receiver Mike He has 55 tackles, 6 Williams (7) tackles for losses and 3 touchdown throw from is stopped by interceptions. By Jim Naveau quarterback Deshaun Watson, Virginia Tech [email protected] he was shoved from behind, and cornerback ARTAVIS SCOTT, his head hit on the goal post as Adonis 5-10, 190, Junior Clemson’s season has he fell to the ground. Alexander Scott was selected been about a second chance, It was a scary moment, made (36) during second-team All-ACC. His something its standout receiver even scarier when Williams said the ACC 71 catches for 592 yards Mike Williams knows a lot later that for a few moments his championship ranks second among about. whole body felt numb. game. Williams Clemson’s receivers. The Tigers are in the College The diagnosis was that he has had a big He has five touchdown Football Playoff for the second had a fractured vertebra in his season after catches this season. season in a row. A year ago neck. He had to wear a neck missing last they lost 45-40 to Alabama brace for several months, and season with a in the national championship it wasn’t until two months after neck injury. game. the injury that he was allowed But they played that game to do some light running and AP photo without Williams, whose dumbbell curls. RECENT CLEMSON season ended in the 2015 He returned to the field in season opener when he suffered spring practice and has been BOWL HISTORY a season-ending neck injury on better than ever this season. By The Associated Press a freak play. Clemson coach Dabo Record: 20-19 The 6-2, 225-pound Williams Swinney calls him the “most Jan. 11, 2016 College Football caught 84 passes for 1,171 complete” receiver he has forever, and there ain’t none would be their last season and Championship — Alabama 45, yards and 10 touchdowns this had in his nine seasons as the better. His size, his length, his that they would leave for the Clemson 40 season for the Tigers (12-1). Tigers coach. toughness, his IQ, his speed NFL with one year of eligibility Dec. 31, 2015 Orange Bowl — Clemson He is expected to be one of the “He’s 225 pounds and can and explosiveness is just rare,” remaining. 37, Oklahoma 17 first receivers taken in the NFL run and change direction. He’s he said. In addition to Watson and Dec. 29, 2014 Russell Athletic Bowl — draft. a load. He’s going to be a great, “He would have left (for the Williams, running back Wayne Clemson 40, Oklahoma 6 After catching 57 passes for great, great pro,” Swinney said NFL) last year if he had not Gallman and receiver Artavis Jan. 3, 2014 Orange Bowl — Clemson 40, 1,030 yards in 2014, he was at a press conference before gotten hurt. I don’t have any Scott said they were not Ohio St. 35 expected to be a big part of the Atlantic Coast Conference doubt about that,” Swinney said coming back in 2017.