Earlier this week on ESPN’s College Football Preview Show, Clemson quarterback Deshaun was listed as the No. 3 candidate to win the Heisman Trophy. He has also been predicted by the media that cover the ACC as the favorite to win ACC Player of the Year honors. He is also a candidate for both the Maxwell and Davey O’Brien Awards as the nation’s best player and quarterback.
In other words, expectations for Watson as the 12th-ranked Tigers prepare to open the season against Wofford next Saturday are through the roof.
“I expect him to take it one day at a time,” quarterbacks coach Brandon Streeter said. “Don’t allow the expectations of the media and the rest of the country to affect his play.”
Watson was one attempted pass away from leading the nation in passing efficiency after throwing for 14 touchdowns and just two interceptions, while completing 68 percent of his passes. He threw for 1,466 yards with a passing efficiency of 188.6.
“You don’t allow the distractions to affect his play because he is special and he is unique,” Streeter said.
Streeter, who is in his first year as Clemson’s quarterbacks coach, has his own expectations for his starting quarterback. That’s been an adjustment for Watson somewhat because he is adapting to Streeter’s coaching style just as Streeter has had to adjust to what Watson does athletically as a quarterback.
“I think for him to be successful, my expectations for him will be for his leadership needs to improve from last year,” Streeter said. “He is in a different boat than he was last year. He was in a situation last year where he was not sure if he was going to be the starter or not.
“Now he knows he is the starter going into this whole thing. I really encouraged him this summer to be a leader and to work on his leadership.”
Leadership did not seem to be an issue for Watson last year, but Streeter, who played quarterback for the Tigers in late 1990s, says there are certain things he wants the sophomore to accomplish this year. Things, if he is successful, will lead Clemson to big things.
“Number one, it starts with his accountability and working hard. He does that. He does a great job. He is all-in. He has two feet in the boat. He is into this thing,” Streeter said. “He has the ability to get the other guys to do the same thing which he has done.
“He needs to be a little bit more vocal. He is somewhat of a quiet kid until he gets out there with his buddies and stuff. These guys are going to listen to him so taking that step in his leadership is critical to our team’s success.”
And that success will lead to Watson’s success, which means he can have the opportunity to meet all the expectations he and Streeter have for him.
“It’s all about the decision making. If he is making the right decisions and is distributing the ball to our guys, which we have plenty of weapons, then things are going to go smooth,” Streeter said. “He needs to get focused on doing what he is coached to do and making good decisions and things will fall into place for him.”
And then all expectations will be met.