Well, we are now five weeks deep into the NFL season, and anyone who said back in April that former Clemson quarterback Deshaun Watson would not make a successful transition to the pros has been proven wrong.
The Gainesville, Georgia native has wowed both fans and teammates with his calm composure in the huddle and ability to adapt so quickly to coach Bill O'Brien's system after playing shotgun almost exclusively for his four years at Clemson. The thing that has folks in Houston so excited about their rookie quarterback is the efficiency of the offense he currently runs.
In his first official start in the NFL on September 24, Watson went to Foxsboro on the road and managed to go toe-to-toe with Super Bowl MVP Tom Brady for the better part of four quarters, compiling 301 yards and pair of touchdowns. The Patriots defense, so vaunted in the preseason, gave up 33 points, and the home team escaped with the win thanks to last-minute heroics courtesy of Brady.
Last week, he threw for five touchdowns and ran for another on the way to demolishing the Titans 57-14.
And last night, despite the loss of team leader J.J Watt to a season-ending injury, Watson was able to battle the Chiefs' formidable defense and throw for another five touchdowns, even as the Texans lost 42-34. A slow start was not helped by the decimated defense.
So while the Texans currently sit at 2-3 and a distant 2nd in the AFC South, Watson has definitely made an impression . And whether or not we've seen the last of Watt, Watson has made the case that he will be a franchise player for years to come, as many of his teammates and colleagues agree. It is not unreasonable to think that with the defense healthy and a revamped offensive line, he and the Texans could consistently compete for titles in the not-so-distant future.
Only time will tell.