Deshaun Watson isn’t the first great quarterback to play at Clemson, and with the way Clemson is recruiting, he won’t be the last. But during his three years at Clemson, Watson has set a new standard for the quarterbacks that follow him to strive for.

The two-time Heisman finalist has Clemson back on the doorstep of a national title after leading the Tigers to their first national championship appearance in 34 years a season ago.

And during his three years at Clemson, Watson has become the school’s career leader in a number of statistical categories, including completion percentage, pass efficiency and total offense per game. He is second in school history in total offense, touchdown responsibility and touchdown passes.

More importantly, Watson has a 30-3 record as Clemson’s starting quarterback, the best mark in the nation among quarterbacks who have played the last three years.

“He’s set the standard of quarterback play here at Clemson University,” Clemson center Jay Guillermo said on Monday. “He’s done a lot of things that not a lot of people have accomplished. Not just from an individual standpoint, but leading the team and helping our offense get to a point where we’ve not been a lot.”

The talk surrounding Watson this season has been more negative than positive at times with a focus more on his shortcomings than success. His 15 interceptions and decreased rushing numbers have been highlighted over his nearly 4,000 yards passing and 43 total touchdowns.

But in the spotlight and face of scrutiny, Watson still managed to direct his team back to the College Playoff. Behind Watson, Clemson has accomplished all of its team goals to this point, with the remaining ones still on the table.

“People are going to try and find the bad,” Guillermo said of the criticisms of Watson. “Whenever you’re in the spotlight that he is, everyone is going to pick out every one of your flaws and dissect every throw that you make and critique everything little thing that you do. And that’s where I think he’s done a good job of letting all those distractions be outside and just focus on himself and focus on everything he can control.”

Watson’s storied career is down to one or two games depending on the outcome of the Fiesta Bowl semifinal against Ohio State on Dec. 31, and after helping lift Clemson to new heights as a program, he will leave a legacy that won’t be easy to follow.

“He’s just set the standard,” Guillermo reiterated. “He’s come every day, worked hard, and he’s done everything the right way. It’s not like he’s cut any corners. He’s not a bad person obviously, he does things the right way and he does uncommon things. It’s just mind blowing, and to have him as my quarterback is special.”