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 3, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA; Clemson Tigers quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) signs a fans Heisman sign after a game against the Clemson Tigers during the ACC Championship college football game at Camping World Stadium. Clemson Tigers won 42-35. Mandatory Credit: Logan Bowles-USA TODAY Sports /

3. This could be a legacy Heisman

This occasionally happens, but it has not been the norm in college football for the last decade. When the voters feel a race is tight, they almost kind of tend to give the award to the more deserving player in terms of college football legacy.

Watson will go pro after this season and be a future NFL franchise quarterback. We’re looking at a future College Football Hall of Famer here and it would be strange to not see a dynamic player of his magnitude not win a Heisman Trophy.

The legacy argument would help Mayfield in 2017 if he gets back to New York next year. Jackson has come out of the woodwork to be an outstanding player in his sophomore season at Louisville. He would have another chance to win the Heisman in 2017 as he would only be a true junior then.

Watson doesn’t really have much to prove as one of the best quarterbacks of his collegiate generation. A National Championship and Heisman Trophy would only pad the outstanding legacy of Watson’s three years at Clemson. If it’s close between Jackson and Watson, it wouldn’t be all that shocking for some contingency of voters to throw the overall body of work argument in Watson’s corner.

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