5 reasons Clemson will repeat as national champions in 2017

4. Emergence of Zerrick Cooper

Haven’t heard the name Zerrick Cooper yet? Well, the redshirt freshman has a similar game to Deshaun Watson and could take over college football in the same way. He’s a dual-threat quarterback who was one of the top 300 prospects in the country coming out of the 2016 class.

Clemson quarterbacks coach Brandon Streeter and Dabo Swinney have already been wowed by Cooper’s talent and he has yet to even take the field in a college game, according to TheState.com:

"“This guy can absolutely throw a frozen rope,” Swinney said. “He can spin the football. He’s very accurate. He came back this year and really willed his teams to wins week-in and week-out. Smooth player. “He’s 6-3-plus, almost 6-4. He can run. But he is absolutely gifted when he throws the football. Just special. You hear it in the stands when it comes out of his hands. It’s flying.” … “I’m really excited about him, developing him into being a cerebral all-around quarterback,” said Streeter. “He’s got the talent. It’s always the question coming in as a true freshman – how much knowledge do they have coming in? And how much do you have to continue to teach them? I’m anxious for him to grow.”"

The quarterback battle hasn’t been decided just yet, but the staff seems to really like Cooper’s intangibles. Kelly Bryant is also a name to watch while incoming freshmen Chase Brice and Hunter Johnson could also contend.

The quarterback position will be just fine in 2017, which takes pressure off the rest of the team.