Heisman 2016: 5 reasons Deshaun Watson should win

By John Buhler | Dec 7, 2016

Dec 3, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA; Clemson Tigers quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) walks off the field after a game against the Virginia Tech Hokies during the ACC Championship college football game at Camping World Stadium. Clemson Tigers won 42-35. Mandatory Credit: Logan Bowles-USA TODAY Sports /

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Dec 12, 2015; New York, NY, USA; Alabama running back Derrick Henry (left to right) and Stanford running back Christian McCaffrey and Clemson quarterback Deshaun Watson pose with the Heisman Trophy during a press conference at the New York Marriott Marquis prior to the 81st annual Heisman Trophy presentation. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /

4. This will be Watson’s second trip to New York

Another thing that cannot be overlooked with regards to Watson’s 2016 Heisman candidacy is that he is the only return candidate from the 2015 presentation. Henry went pro after his junior season in Tuscaloosa and McCaffrey didn’t make the five-man cut.

This aids Watson considerably, as he doesn’t have to introduce himself to Heisman voters for the first time. All voting regions of United States are familiar with the Clemson quarterback from a year ago where he won the Davey O’Brien Award, finished third in the Heisman voting, and led Clemson to the National Championship Game.

Because he is a returning candidate, he is more likely to get the vote from the Pac-12 and SEC voters that don’t have a candidate of their own. Jackson did electrify the college football landscape in September and October, but how many antiquated voters from the Southeast and West Coast were really paying attention to what he was doing in Louisville?

Jackson could still win in a landslide, but frustrated homers of the SEC and Pac-12 would be more inclined to reluctantly vote for a guy they saw as a finalist from the year before. Clemson has the respect of SEC voters and is a near-national brand that could garner West Coast votes. Louisville is not a national brand and lost to Kentucky, Houston, and Clemson this season.

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