Clemson quarterback Deshaun Watson fully cleared to practice
Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney said sophomore quarterback Deshaun Watson was cleared “100%” by team doctors to participate in football activities.
Watson played with a tear in the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee during Clemson’s 35-17 victory over South Carolina in November and had surgery to repair the injury in December.
“He's doing everything this summer, so he's as cleared as he can possibly be,” quarterbacks coach Brandon Streeter said. "He told me the other day that he feels stronger in that leg than he ever has, even before the injury. He feels great."
He also missed three games last season after breaking a bone his right hand against Louisville and sat out the majority of two games after hurting his knee in a loss to Georgia Tech. Watson also broke his collarbone during his freshman campaign.
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Last season, Clemson went 10-3 (6-2 ACC) and finished 17th in the final College Football Playoff rankings after a 40-6 rout over Oklahoma in the Russell Athletic Bowl. SI.com ranked the Tigers at No. 11 in its way-too-early Top 25 for 2015.
Watson, who was the top dual-threat quarterback in 2014 by Rivals.com., played in eight games and made five starts last season.
Watson completed 68% of his passes for 1,466 yards and 14 touchdowns and two interceptions, averaging 10.7 yards per passing attempt. He added 200 more yards rushing and five touchdowns on the ground.
- Scooby Axson
