Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Deshaun Watson

Discover the career path of Deshaun Watson, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.

Deshaun Watson is a professional American football quarterback currently playing for the Cleveland Browns. He gained prominence playing college football for the Clemson Tigers, where he led the team to a national championship in 2016. In 2017, Watson was drafted in the first round by the Houston Texans, marking the beginning of his NFL career.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

2006: Home donation by Warrick Dunn

In 2006, when Deshaun Watson was 11 years old, Atlanta Falcons running back Warrick Dunn donated a home to Watson's family through Dunn's charity Homes for the Holidays, in partnership with Habitat for Humanity.

2010: Attended Gainesville High School

In the fall of 2010, Deshaun Watson began attending Gainesville High School and played for the school's Red Elephants football team, where he became the first-ever freshman starting quarterback.

2011: Clemson's First ACC Championship Since 2011

In 2015, Deshaun Watson led the Tigers to a 45–37 win, Clemson's first ACC championship since 2011.

February 1, 2012: Verbal Commitment to Clemson University

On February 1, 2012, Deshaun Watson verbally committed to Clemson University, marking a significant step in his college football career.

January 2014: Enrolled at Clemson University

In January 2014, Deshaun Watson enrolled at Clemson University, marking the beginning of his college football career with the Clemson Tigers.

2015: Led Clemson to Undefeated Regular Season

In 2015, Deshaun Watson led Clemson to an undefeated 12-0 regular season and a #1 ranking in the polls, showcasing his leadership and skills.

November 8, 2016: Declared for NFL Draft

On November 8, 2016, Deshaun Watson, along with three other Clemson players, declared for the NFL draft.

2016: Orange Bowl Victory and Game MVP Honors

In 2016, Deshaun Watson led Clemson to a 37–17 victory over the Oklahoma Sooners in the Orange Bowl, earning game MVP honors.

2016: Leading Clemson to a National Championship

In 2016, Deshaun Watson led the Clemson Tigers to a national championship, a significant achievement in his college football career.

2016: College Football Playoff National Championship Game

In 2016, Deshaun Watson played in the College Football Playoff National Championship game against the #2 Alabama Crimson Tide where he set the record for most total yards in national championship game history, with 478 yards (405 passing / 73 rushing) against the nation's best defense.

May 12, 2017: Signed Contract with the Texans

On May 12, 2017, Deshaun Watson signed a four-year, $13.84 million contract with the Houston Texans, including an $8.21 million signing bonus.

September 10, 2017: First Regular Season Appearance

On September 10, 2017, Deshaun Watson made his first regular-season appearance for the Houston Texans against the Jacksonville Jaguars, throwing his first NFL touchdown pass to DeAndre Hopkins.

2017: CFP National Championship Victory

In 2017, Clemson, led by Deshaun Watson, defeated Alabama 35–31 in the College Football Playoff National Championship, securing Clemson's second national championship.

2017: Drafted by Houston Texans

In 2017, Watson was selected in the first round of the NFL draft by the Houston Texans, marking the start of his professional career.

2018: Guided Texans to Division Title

In 2018, Deshaun Watson guided the Houston Texans to a division title.

2018: Texans Acquired Watson

In 2018, the Texans had acquired the pick from the Cleveland Browns, trading their first round pick in the 2018 NFL draft.

2019: Guided Texans to Consecutive Division Title

In 2019, Deshaun Watson guided the Houston Texans to a consecutive division title, continuing his success with the team.

April 28, 2020: Texans Exercised Fifth-Year Option

On April 28, 2020, the Texans exercised the fifth-year option on Deshaun Watson's contract.

2020: Led the League in Passing Yards

In 2020, Deshaun Watson led the National Football League in passing yards, marking a significant achievement in his professional career.

April 7, 2021: Endorsement deals suspended

On April 7, 2021, Nike and Beats by Dre suspended endorsement deals with Deshaun Watson. Reliant Energy and H-E-B stated that they did not plan on engaging with Watson in the future.

March 18, 2022: Watson Traded to Browns

On March 18, 2022, Deshaun Watson was traded to the Cleveland Browns, along with the Texans' 2024 sixth-round draft pick. In return, the Texans received the Browns' first-round draft picks in 2022, 2023, and 2024, as well as additional picks. Watson signed a new, fully guaranteed, five-year, $230 million deal with the Browns.

August 18, 2022: Watson suspended for 11 games and fined

On August 18, 2022, after a settlement between the NFL and the NFLPA, Deshaun Watson was suspended for the first 11 games of the 2022 regular season and was fined $5 million due to sexual harassment allegations.

November 28, 2022: Watson reinstated and plays against Texans

On November 28, 2022, Deshaun Watson was reinstated from his suspension and added to the 53-man roster. He started against his former team, the Texans, in Week 13, posting the worst passer rating of his NFL career at 53.4 in the 27–14 win.

2022: Trade to the Cleveland Browns

In 2022, Deshaun Watson was traded to the Cleveland Browns after sitting out the 2021 season due to disagreements with the Texans' front office and multiple sexual-misconduct lawsuits. With Cleveland, Watson signed a five-year contract worth $230 million.

2023: Browns draft picks to Texans

In 2023, as part of the trade from March 18, 2022, the Texans received the Browns' first-round and third-round draft picks.

2024: Browns draft picks to Texans

In 2024, as part of the trade from March 18, 2022, the Texans received the Browns' first-round and fourth-round draft picks, while the Browns received the Texans' sixth-round draft pick.