Winner

Both Pace and Fox have said separate of each other what their number one traits are when looking at quarterbacks:  winning. When Fox was asked what he looked for in a starter? “One that wins.” When Pace was asked what he looks for in a draft pick. One that “elevated the program.” There is no getting around the fact that this is what Watson did from the moment he stepped on the field.

Clemson went from an occasional big bowl contender to the class of college football. In two seasons as their starter, Watson lost just two games. Both times his offense put up 40 or more points. This is not a man who likes to lose. Several victories during that stretch involved comebacks in the fourth quarter. When the pressure ratchets up, Watson seems to get better. These are what NFL quarterbacks must be like.