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Clemson Football: Why DeShaun Watson should be 2016 Heisman favorite

By Danny Jaillet

Jan 11, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Clemson Tigers quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) throws the ball in the third quarter against the Alabama Crimson Tide in the 2016 CFP National Championship at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 11, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Clemson Tigers quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) throws the ball in the third quarter against the Alabama Crimson Tide in the 2016 CFP National Championship at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports /
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Despite losing the National Championship to Alabama, Clemson quarterback Deshaun Watson showed he should be the player to beat for the Heisman in 2016.

The Alabama Crimson Tide defeated the Clemson Tigers, 45-40 in the National Championship after 24 fourth quarter points, but credit Deshaun Watson and Clemson who did not go down quietly.

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Watson completed 30 of 47 passes for 405 yards, four touchdowns and an interception and ran for a team-high 73 yards and while it wasn’t enough to win the National Championship, it was enough for the third-place finisher in the 2015 Heisman vote to cement his status as the favorite for the 2016 season.

Watson has the individual talent to be a potential No. 1 pick in the NFL Draft in 2017 so we know he has the talent to content, but it’s his returning cast that will help him in his pursuit of the Trophy next year. The Tigers return three of their starting five

The Tigers return three of their starting five offensive linemen, including freshman left tackle Mitch Hyatt who was a fixture from Day 1 and looks like a future All-America. He will be tasked with making sure Watson stays upright and healthy.

Besides his offensive line, Watson will have many of his weapons he had this year like Artavis Scott, Deon Cain and Mike Williams if he can return from the neck injury he suffered in the season opener and ended his season. All three of these receivers have 1,000-yard, 10-touchdown potential next year.

Watson showed against Alabama that he is the type of player who can not only lead an offense but be the center of it. In Monday’s showdown against Alabama, he showed he’s the most talented, most productive and the most valuable player at a position that wins the Heisman more than any other position and plays for the team that will be the preseason No. 1.

What’s not to love?

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He faces stiff competition from running backs like Christian McCaffrey, Leonard Fournette and Dalvin Cook as well as quarterbacks Baker Mayfield, Seth Russell and Josh Rosen, among others, but after Watson’s display against Alabama there’s no doubt he’ll be the best player in college football and the player to beat for the Heisman.

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