By Ed McGranahan.

If Chad Morris could design and build the perfect quarterback for his offense, it would probably resemble Deshaun Watson and would virtually hold the key to the Clemson playbook.

“I think the dynamics of our offense will be changed over the course of time with him in it,” Morris said Monday during a private conversation.

At a tender age, Watson possesses that uncommon ability to slow the game to a pace Morris described as, “Peyton Manning like or Tom Brady like.”

“The game was incredibly slow for him the other night,” he  said. “This kid understands what he’s doing and he knows where people are.”

What quickly became evident was that North Carolina did not believe a freshman was capable of managing the pressure, so the Tar Heels dropped a safety into the box to stop Clemson’s run game and tried to force Watson to beat them with his arm.

“They definitely lined up to stop the run and tried to put pressure on Deshaun,” Morris said. “I thought Deshaun did a great job keeping his eyes down the field.

“There were times when Deshaun saw it, held the ball a little bit, moved in the pocket to let it open up even more,” he said. “He just has a great feel for the game. He understands what we’re trying to do.”

How the offense evolves hangs on Watson continuing to quickly learn from his mistakes – and there were several – recognizing the defenses schemes he faces and what they’ll allow him, and Clemson’s ability to protect him. At nearly 6-foot-3 and 205 pounds, Watson needs to work on his developing his body. By this time next season he hoped to have another 15 pounds.

Some quarterbacks are effective runners but not as productive throwing the ball. Others are limited on the run but are effective passers.

“He’s a rare combination,” Morris said. “The worst thing you can do with Deshaun is get him on the run because he does a great job keeping his eyes down the field.

“I think that’s what he likes, that’s what he does. We have to create space for him.”

That may require spreading the field with Watson occasionally the only back.

“You sense and you see it. This guy responds in space,” Morris said. “He doesn’t like to be confined in a box.”

One of the great advantages for Clemson at this stage is that the offensive line – which remains a work in progress – doesn’t have to be perfect, Morris said.

“It takes a lot of pressure off the guys up front,” he said. “We’re more deadly with him out of the pocket.”

Now that there’s some tangible evidence of Watson’s skill, Morris anticipates defenses either trying a tactic similar to North Carolina’s or another attempting to contain him, to “see if he can pick us apart.”

“He’s going to be fun to watch, but we’ve got to understand he’s going to make a mistake or two.”