Most observers are of the mindset that Deshaun Watson, a 2015 Heisman Trophy finalist and one of a handful of favorites for the 2016 award, will leave Clemson at the end of this season and make himself for the 2017 NFL draft.
The Clemson quarterback himself has not declared what football intentions he may or may not have, at least publicly. Monday, the rising junior’s head coach strongly urged fans to come out April 9 to see what he described as the likely last spring game for Watson with the football program.
“I really want to challenge the crowd and fans to show up,” Swinney said according to ESPN.com‘s David Hale. “It’s going to be the last time to see Deshaun Watson, most likely, in a spring game.”
As previously noted, Watson has not stated publicly what his plans will be after the 2016 season. In private talks with Swinney, however, all indications are that it will be three-and-done for the quarterback at the collegiate level -- something that was intimated to be Watson’s plan from the beginning.
“We talk all the time,” Swinney said of his star player. “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.”
Watson, 18-2 as a starter in his first two seasons, helped lead the Tigers to an unbeaten regular season and a berth in the College Football Playoff title game against Alabama. With 4,104 yards and 47 total touchdowns (35 passing, 12 rushing), Watson finished behind winner Derrick Henry of Alabama and runner-up Christian McCaffrey of Stanford in the Heisman voting.
In a handful of laughably early 2017 mock drafts HERE and HERE and HERE, Watson is viewed as the likely No. 1 overall pick.