ESPN recently unveiled its ranking of the top 90 college quarterbacks of the 2000s, with former Clemson stars Deshaun Watson and Trevor Lawrence earning spots near the top.
Watson, a two-time Heisman Trophy finalist, ranked No. 6 on the list. His legendary college career included leading Clemson to its second national title in 2016 and back-to-back College Football Playoff appearances. Over his final two seasons, Watson guided the Tigers to 28 wins, throwing for 10,163 yards and 90 touchdowns while compiling a 32-3 record as a starter.
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ESPN’s Bill Connelly credited Watson with transforming Clemson into a dominant force. “Remember when ‘Clemsoning’ meant ‘failing spectacularly on the big stage’? No? That’s because Watson came to town,” Connelly wrote. “‘Clemsoning’ now simply means ‘winning big.’”
Lawrence, the 2020 Heisman Trophy runner-up, landed at No. 11 on the list. The 2018 national champion and winningest quarterback in Clemson history finished his career with a 34-2 record as a starter. He set multiple records, including career winning percentage, pass efficiency rating, and yards per attempt. Lawrence threw for 10,098 yards, 90 touchdowns, and just 17 interceptions while leading the Tigers to three College Football Playoff appearances.
Alabama linebacker Dylan Moses (32) tries to bring down Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) during the 2nd quarter of the College Football National Championship at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, CA Monday, January 7, 2019. Clemson Alabama College Football National Championship © BART BOATWRIGHT/Staff
Connelly praised Lawrence for living up to sky-high expectations. “It was going to be almost impossible for Lawrence to meet the expectations set for him as an all-world recruit… He surpassed them,” he wrote.
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At the top of the list were quarterbacks such as Oklahoma’s Baker Mayfield, Auburn’s Cam Newton, Texas’ Vince Young, Florida’s Tim Tebow, and Ohio State/LSU’s Joe Burrow. Still, Watson and Lawrence’s rankings solidified their legacies as two of the most impactful quarterbacks of the modern era.
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