QB DeShaun Watson could put up healthy numbers for Clemson

The past couple seasons, we’ve partnered with SeldomUsedReserve.com for some fun stat projections with the Clemson offense.

With a bevy of skill position stars back, we examine what the ’15 Tigers can put up, starting with Deshaun Watson …

Deshaun Watson projection – Brandon Rink, OrangeandWhite.com Watson’s performance in a small sample size opens up the possibilities. He was really good in those 330 snaps.

In Power Five games (four-plus series), Watson led the ACC averaging 309 passing yards with 10 touchdowns to one interception.

He set Clemson single-season marks for pass efficiency (188.6 – No. 1 nationally with a 125 attempt min.), yards per pass (10.7, also first nationally) and total offense per play (8.3).

Per ESPN, he did his best facing pressure among big conference QBs, completing 81 percent of his throws against five-plus rushers – totaling eight touchdowns, no interceptions and a 14.1 per pass average. Overall, Watson misfired two balls into opponent hands in 137 throws.

On the ground, all five of his scores came against Power Five foes – two on a torn ACL against South Carolina.

Add those numbers to returning 92 percent of the receiving yards and 100 percent of the ’14 receiving touchdowns, and there’s plenty to like about what Watson can do.

Sure, Clemson’s replacing 3,000-plus snaps on the O-line – that’s kind of a big deal – but it’s not like a stalwart offensive line was a staple of the Chad Morris era. The yards will be there – it’s a matter of hitting big plays and punching in scores, which suggests Watson is the man to do that.

This is an optimistic projection, as no passer in Clemson history has topped 300 yards per game – and seven Power 5 QBs have done so in the last two seasons.

2015 projection (12 games): 67.5 cmp. percentage / 304 YPG / 32 TD-7 INT / 360 rushing yards-8 TDs

Watson projection – Marty Coleman, SeldomUsedReserve.com Watson showed a unique ability to complete longer passes, hitting 73.3% of throws between 16-20 yards and 48.4 percent over 20 yards, but he might have to rely on a shorter routes a little more often given the current make-up of the offensive line.

One way to dial back the hype is to realize the majority of Watson’s numbers were put up against some questionable defenses. Again – not Watson’s fault – but still reality. Watson played three series at Georgia (11th ranked defense), a little more than two against Louisville (6th) and none against Boston College (17th).

The average weighted defensive ranking that Watson faced per drive? 97.1.

Almost of as much interest is the way in which Watson will, or won’t, be used in the running game in 2015 as the offense morphs from Chad Morris to Tony Elliott.

Here’s a mind bender: Watson played 330 snaps and threw on 137 of them, yet he was 49 yards away from being Clemson’s second leading rusher last season. When on the field, Watson was a huge part of the Clemson ground game.

Three injuries in nine months would make me less than eager to call Watson’s number if I were OC, especially with the unknowns waiting in the wings behind him at quarterback, and it’ll be interesting to see how, and if, Elliott uses Watson in the running game more than as a decoy.

Gone are the days of leaving the quarterback in when the game is out of reach in order to achieve an insignificant record – the risks are too great – plus there’s a need to at least attempt to develop Nick Schuessler and, to a lesser extent, one of the freshmen.

When the game is in hand, Watson will be on the sideline. His numbers might suffer for it, but, in the big picture, it’s the right thing to do for Watson and the team.

2015 projection: 68.0 cmp. percentage / 252 YPG / 30 TD-6 INT / 240 rushing yards-4 TDs