Offensive Player of the Year: Deshaun Watson, QB, Clemson
Here’s one prediction that I will make about the Offensive Player of the Year in regards to the ACC in 2015: When the season ends, Pitt running back James Conner might actually be the player most deserving of the award. However, with the national attention that Deshaun Watson will ultimately draw to himself, he will be the one given the honors — and that’s not necessarily a bad thing.
Should that knee of Watson’s stay healthy, then he will be the key in helping Clemson live up to the hype that everyone is throwing upon the Tigers heading into the 2015 campaign.
Last season Dabo Swinney and the coaching staff was hesitant at first about throwing the true freshman in the fire, but eventually that’s what it came down to. Well, when he got his chance, Watson showed us all why he was one of the most highly-touted recruits in the country coming out of high school. In eight games last year, Watson threw for 1,466 yards with 14 touchdowns and just two interceptions. He showed an amazing capability to take care of the ball, which is something you want to see out of the leader of your offense. In addition to the ability his arm possesses, Watson added 200 more yards on the ground with five touchdowns.
Again, this is all considering that he stays healthy, but if Watson plays the full slate for the Tigers in 2015 then you can not only expect them to more than likely take the ACC, but the sophomore may also punch a ticket to New York in December for a certain ceremony involving a certain bronze statue.
Next: Defensive Player Of The Year