Just call Watson Sports Illustrated’s cover boy

The cover boy strikes again.

Quarterback Deshaun Watson will be on one of four covers of Sports Illustrated’s 2016 College Football Preview Issue on Aug. 15.

It isn’t Watson’s first magazine cover, and likely not his last.

Watson graced Sports Illustrated’s cover twice last year, on Nov. 16 and on Dec. 14, and last week was on the cover of Sports Illustrated for Kids.

Watson, who accounted for an Atlantic Coast Conference-record 47 touchdowns last season while amassing more than 5,200 yards of offense, is a Heisman Trophy favorite this year.

Watson, who appeared on the cover of ESPN The Magazine on Jan. 4, will be on the cover of that publication’s again in a college football preview issue that hits newsstands Friday.

Switching positions

Could Gage Cervenka be the next Tyler Shatley?

Clemson University football coach Dabo Swinney certainly hopes so.

And Cervenka probably does, too.

Several years ago, Shatley made the move from defensive tackle to offensive line prior to his junior season and promptly flourished; Cervenka, a redshirt freshman defensive tackle from Greenwood, could follow a similar path.

“Had he stayed (on the defensive line), he would’ve been a player similar to Shatley and a solid D-lineman,” Swinney said, “but I think making this move now bodes well for his future.

“I would say Shatley, had he been on the offensive line for four years, probably would’ve gotten drafted instead of being a free agent. But he’s going on his third year and vying for a starting job with the (NFL’s Jacksonville) Jaguars right now.”

Cervenka, a 6-foot-3, 305-pounder, approached Swinney on Sunday about making the move.

“We talked through it,” Swinney said. “He’s excited about that and so am I. I think it’s right move for him long-term. We’ll try to work with him and see if we can teach him to play center and guard.”

Formerly No. 95, Cervenka – a former four-time state wrestling champion at Emerald High – now wears No. 59.

Good news, bad news

Monday morning’s practice session quickly turned into a good news-bad news scenario.

Good news? Running back Wayne Gallman broke loose for a 99-yard touchdown on the first play of a scrimmage.

Bad news? The Tigers’ rebuilt defense left Swinney shaking his head.

“I was really disappointed in what I saw today defensively,” Swinney said. “That’s great for the offense, but … that’s all it takes, one play. We’ve got to clean up some things. We can’t be feast or famine. We’ve got to be ready (to play defense) right out of the gate.”

Injury report

Center Jay Guillermo missed practice after suffering a cut on his face and a mild concussion while battling defensive tackle Scott Pagano on Saturday.

“He’s out ’til they tell me he’s back,” Swinney said. “He’ll be all right. He’ll play against Auburn.”

Linebacker Jalen Williams also wore a yellow jersey after tweaking a hamstring, and Swinney is eager for the return of cornerback Marcus Edmond, who injured a hamstring on the opening day of practice Aug 2.

“That’s going to be a big shot in the arm when we get him back in the mix,” Swinney said.