Clemson Football: 5 Recruits that changed the Tiger program under Dabo Swinney

2. Deshaun Watson

Deshaun Watson was heavily recruited by several programs, including Georgia. When Watson signed with Clemson in 2014, there just wasn’t many examples of other programs going into Georgia and taking a top-three level talent in the state from the Bulldogs.

Even though Watson was rated as a 4-star, he was still the top dual-threat QB in the nation and was clearly being heavily sought after.

He took Clemson into the elite stratosphere.

When Watson signed with the Tigers, Clemson was still becoming elite. The Tigers were winning 10-plus games a season, but hadn’t beaten in-state rival South Carolina in five years. Watson elevated the program, defeating the Gamecocks all three years he was with the Tigers and taking Clemson to the CFB Playoff two years in a row, winning a National Championship.

He leaves Clemson as, perhaps, the best to ever play in Tiger Town.