Heisman Watch 2016: Week 5 players to watch
By Jack Crosby
There are many talented college football players taking the field this weekend with Heisman aspirations, but let’s not overlook the fact that none have the pressure on them –nor the stage– to take the reins of the Heisman race more than Clemson’s Deshaun Watson.
Coming into the 2016 campaign, Watson was considered the front-runner among many for the Heisman. However, both he and the Tigers got off to a slow start, so slow in fact that it prompted Watson to apologize to the Clemson faithful for his performance. But, last week against Georgia Tech on a Thursday night, we saw the Watson that we all wanted to see.
In the win over the Yellow Jackets, Watson had his best day through the air, tossing for 304 yards with two touchdowns. He also added 36 on the ground in the 26-7 victory, reminding us all that he’s still one of the best talents this nation has to offer.
Next: 20 Greatest College Running Backs In The Modern Era
Really, there is no better stage for Watson to take back that title as Heisman front-runner than this weekend when he and the Tigers take on the Louisville Cardinals in the much-anticipated showdown between two top-five teams. Without question, if the Clemson defense can do their part and keep current leader Lamar Jackson at bay and Watson can light up that tough Cardinals defense, then we will officially have a nice little race on our hands to start the month of October.
Deshaun Watson has the chance on Saturday night to climb back to the top of the ladder, and if he does, he will be doing so right before the very eyes of the young man Jackson that sits there here at the end of September.