Ohio State is set to face one of the best quarterbacks in the entire country on New Year's Eve in the Fiesta Bowl as part of the College Football Playoff. That isn't anything new. But Deshaun Watson added another award to his list of accolades on Tuesday.
The Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Educational Foundation, Inc. selected the Clemson quarterback as its 2016 recipient of the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award.
The award is given annually to the top college quarterback who is on set to graduate with his class. Watson is on pace to earn his undergraduate degree on Dec. 15. Candidates must display excellent character, citizenship, scholastic achievement and leadership qualities off the field in addition to outstanding prowess on it.
Watson led the Tigers to a 12-1 record and the ACC Championship, their first back-to-back league title since the school won three straight from 1986-88. He threw for 1,586 yards and 15 touchdowns over his final five games, including the 288 yards and three scores he recorded in Clemson's 42-35 victory against Virginia Tech on Saturday night in the conference title game.
| SCHOOL | PLAYER |
|---|---|
| WASHINGTON STATE | LUKE FALK |
| TEXAS TECH | PATRICK MAHOMES |
| OKLAHOMA | BAKER MAYFIELD |
| NORTH CAROLINA | MITCH TRUBISKY |
| CLEMSON | DESHAUN WATSON |
Michigan State's Connor Cook won the award last year.
