How Deshaun Watson Became a Quarterback for the Houston Texans
Deshaun Watson was drafted by the Houston Texans as the 12th pick in the first round of the 2017 NFL Draft. After a successful college career at Clemson University, Watson was considered one of the best quarterback prospects in the draft.
Early Life and High School Football
Deshaun Watson was born on September 14, 1995, in Gainesville, Georgia. He began playing football at an early age and became a quarterback in high school. He led his team to two state championships and was named Georgia’s Mr. Football in his senior year. Watson then attended Clemson University, where he helped the team win a national championship in 2016. The Houston Texans selected Watson in the first round of the 2017 NFL Draft, and he became the Texans’ starting quarterback that season.
Born in Gainesville, Georgia
Deshaun Watson was born on September 14, 1995, in Gainesville, Georgia. He was named after his mother’s favorite R&B singer, DeShaun Dupree Holton, better known as Proof from the rap group D12. His parents never married, and his father was not a part of his life. His mom worked two jobs to support him and his two sisters. Money was tight, but Watson never felt poor because of the love in his family and community. When he was eight years old, his mom bought him a $20 football at a school fundraiser. It was all downhill from there.
Star quarterback for Gainesville High School
As a high schooler, Watson was a star quarterback for Gainesville High School. In his senior year, he led the team to a state championship victory after throwing a game-winning touchdown pass in the final seconds of the game. That same year, he was named the Gatorade Player of the Year for high school football players in Georgia.
College Football
Deschaun Watson was born in Gainesville, Georgia on September 11, 1995. He was interested in playing football from a young age and worked hard to become a successful quarterback. After an impressive high school career, Watson attended Clemson University where he continued to excel on the gridiron. In 2016, he led Clemson to a national championship victory over Alabama. The following year, Watson was drafted by the Houston Texans and has since become one of the best young quarterbacks in the NFL.
Played for Clemson University
Deshaun Watson played college football for the Clemson University Tigers from 2014 to 2016. He led the team to a national championship in 2016 and was awarded the Heisman Trophy, becoming the first Clemson player to ever receive the award.
Won National Championship in 2016
In 2016, Watson led Clemson to a 14-1 record and a win in the College Football Playoff National Championship. He was named the game’s Offensive MVP after throwing for 405 yards and four touchdowns in a 35-31 win over Alabama. The performance capped off an incredible season in which Watson threw for 4,593 yards and 41 touchdowns while also rushing for 1,105 yards and 12 scores.
NFL Draft
Deshaun Watson was selected by the Houston Texans as the twelfth overall pick in the first round of the NFL draft. He was the first quarterback to be taken in the draft.
Drafted by the Houston Texans in the first round of the 2017 NFL Draft
Deshaun Watson was drafted by the Houston Texans in the first round of the 2017 NFL Draft. He was the 12th overall pick. He was the second quarterback to be drafted that year, after Mitchell Trubisky.
Watson played college football at Clemson. In his two years as starter, he led Clemson to a national championship and was awarded the Heisman Trophy. He was also named the consensus All-American and the ACC Player of the Year.
Watson is currently the starting quarterback for the Houston Texans. In his first season, he led the Texans to a division title and was named the NFL Rookie of the Year.
NFL Career
Deshaun Watson was drafted by the Houston Texans in the first round of the 2017 NFL Draft. He played college football at Clemson, where he won the national championship in 2016. After starting the 2018 season as the Texans’ backup quarterback, Watson took over as the starter in week 2 after an injury to starter Tom Savage. He became the first rookie quarterback to ever start and win a game for the Texans.
2017 NFL Season
In his rookie season, Watson started six games for the Texans before suffering a torn ACL in his right knee during practice. He was replaced by Tom Savage, who started the remainder of the season. Despite missing the last nine games of the season, Watson finished his rookie year with 1,699 passing yards and 19 touchdown passes, setting an NFL record for most passing touchdowns by a rookie in a season. He also rushed for 269 yards and two touchdowns.
2018 NFL Season
In his second season, Watson took the Texans to the playoffs after the team started the season 0-3. He finished the season with 4,165 passing yards, 26 touchdowns, and nine interceptions. He also ran for 551 yards and five touchdowns. In the Wild Card round of the playoffs, he had a touchdown pass in a win over the Buffalo Bills.