Watson wins Davey O’Brien Award as nation’s top quarterback

Clemson quarterback Deshaun Watson was honored as the top quarterback in the country Thursday night in Atlanta, about an hour from his hometown of Gainesville, Ga., where he grew up learning to play football.

“I never forget where I come from. That’s where it all started. That’s why I was a little kid playing in the backyard with all the violence going on around me, blocking out the distractions, dreaming for moments like this,” he said. “Now I have an opportunity to make them come to reality. It’s pretty great and I’m enjoying it.”

With his family in the crowd, Watson was presented with the Davey O’Brien Award as part of the College Football Awards Show held at the College Football Hall of Fame.

Watson, who’s also a finalist for the Heisman Trophy, was the first person honored during the ceremony. The sophomore, who prides himself on never getting rattled, admitted he was a little nervous waiting to find out if his name would be called.

“Usually, I’m never nervous before any kind of awards ceremony or game, but for some reason today I was,” Watson said. “It was a good nervous. It means a lot being the first player at Clemson to achieve this award and bring it back home to Clemson, South Carolina. No one can take this away from me. I want to thank my teammates and coaches for helping me out.”

Watson beat out Baker Mayfield of Oklahoma and TCU quarterback Trevone Boykin for the award. Through 13 games, Watson has completed nearly 70 percent of his passes and thrown for 3,512 yards and 30 touchdowns with 11 interceptions. He also has rushed for 887 yards and 11 scores.

Watson and Mayfield will face off in a College Football Playoff Semifinal game on Dec. 31 in Miami.

“I think they got it right,” Tigers coach Dabo Swinney said. “I think he’s special in every regard. … He’s a great young man. This is just the beginning for him. He’s got an incredibly bright future, and I’m glad we’ve got him back for at least another year.”

Watson said he believes he could have won the award last year, as well, had he been able to play the entire year.

He started eight games as a true freshman, splitting time with Cole Stoudt before being slowed by injuries. Watson is still undefeated in games that he starts and finishes.

“Last year I thought if I had stayed healthy I’d have the opportunity to do the same thing as a freshman. That’s just the type of person that I am,” he said. “I’m very confident in my skill set. I have a great group around me. Once the opportunity comes if I play a full season maybe have the opportunity to be in this position and now I am, and it’s great.”

Thursday was part of a busy week for Watson, who had exams earlier this week and leaves on Friday for the Heisman Trophy ceremony in New York. He said he’s just taking everything in stride and trying to have a good time.

“It’s been a blessing. It’s been fun. I’ve been enjoying it and my life’s changing every day,” he said. “I’ve been trying to take it all in and really enjoy it because 10 years or 15 years down the road, winning the award and talking to the guys around here, those are the moments I’m going to remember and be able to explain to my future kids or friends. I’m really just trying to take one day at a time and enjoy the moment that I’m in and take it from there.”

The past five winners of the Davey O’Brien Award have also won the Heisman Trophy. Watson will be joined by Alabama running back Derrick Henry and Stanford running back Christian McCaffrey in New York.

Henry beat out McCaffrey and Watson for the Maxwell Award Thursday night, which is presented to the best player in the country.

“We’ll just have to see. I have two great guys that’s up there with me, Derrick Henry and Christian,” Watson said. “I had a chance to meet those guys and it’s been great. Win or lose I’m going to have fun and embrace the moment.”

This story was originally published December 10, 2015 at 10:37 PM with the headline "Watson wins Davey O’Brien Award as nation’s top quarterback."