If you want to see Deshaun Watson play in a Clemson spring game? Better go Saturday. It's probably going to be his last one.
Watson, a Heisman finalist in 2015, is set to be a junior in 2016. Therefore he's eligible for the NFL draft following the season.
"I really want to challenge the crowd and fans to show up," Clemson coach Dabo Swinney said Tuesday via ESPN. "It's going to be the last time to see Deshaun Watson, most likely, in a spring game."
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It's also Watson's first spring game. He missed the 2014 game after enrolling early at Clemson because of a cracked clavicle. He was out for the 2015 game because he was recovering from a knee injury suffered in 2014.
Swinney also said Watson is set to graduate within three years, meaning that if he wanted to stay for a fourth season he'd have to be enrolled in graduate programs. Watson was 333-491 passing for 4,104 yards, 35 touchdowns and 13 interceptions in 2015. He also ran for 1,105 yards and 12 touchdowns.
"We talk all the time," Swinney said. "Deshaun came in here with a plan. He's going to graduate in three years. That's what he's doing. ... It's great when you have focused people like that."
The thought of Watson entering the 2017 NFL draft isn't terribly surprising. With another outstanding season he's got a great shot at being the first quarterback taken, likely early in the first round. And he could also enter as the Heisman winner too. Many sites have Watson listed as a top favorite for the award along with LSU running back Leonard Fournette, another player widely expected
But it's still refreshing to see Swinney openly discuss the idea of his star player leaving. Yeah, he's using it as a tool to help sell his program's spring game and may not be doing it if Watson wasn't going to be getting his degree in an abbreviated timeframe. But we all know the NFL is very likely in Watson's near future. There's no reason to ignore that fact and every reason to cherish what's probably his final season as a college quarterback.
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Nick Bromberg is the assistant editor of Dr. Saturday on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at nickbromberg@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!
