Watson watched tape of Manziel, Newton to prepare for Alabama

Ahead of Monday’s National Championship game against Alabama, Clemson quarterback DeShaun Watson has been watching tape of college quarterbacks that have had success against the Crimson Tide in the past—namely Texas A&M’s Johnny Manziel and Auburn’s Cam Newton.

At media day on Saturday, Watson told reporters that he recently watched Manziel’s 300-yard performance against Alabama in 2012 that helped him become the first freshman to win the Heisman Trophy.

“Yeah, I watched that one,” Watson said. “I watched the Cam Newton one in 2010. I watched a whole bunch of their games.”

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Newton passed for three touchdowns, and ran for one more, to help No. 2 Auburn rally from 24 down and beat the No. 9 Crimson Tide.

In total, Watson said he’s probably watched around 20 Alabama games from recent years since Clemson advanced to the championship game with a win over Oklahoma on New Year’s Eve.

The sophomore will look to create some magic of his own on Monday evening at 8:30 p.m. ET.

- Kenny Ducey

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