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 previously played college football for the Clemson Tigers, where he won a national championship in 2016. Watson was drafted into the NFL in the first round of the 2017 draft by the Houston Texans.
2003: Jason White's Davey O'Brien Award Win
Jason White, in 2003, won the Davey O'Brien Award.
2004: Jason White's Davey O'Brien Award Win
Jason White, in 2004, won the Davey O'Brien Award.
2010: Attended Gainesville High School
In the fall of 2010, Deshaun Watson attended Gainesville High School and played for the school's Red Elephants football team, becoming the first freshman starting quarterback under head coach Bruce Miller.
2011: Clemson's First ACC Championship Since 2011
In 2015, Watson led Clemson to their first ACC championship since 2011.
February 1, 2012: Committed to Clemson University
On February 1, 2012, Deshaun Watson verbally committed to Clemson University.
January 2014: Enrolled at Clemson University
In January 2014, Deshaun Watson enrolled at Clemson University.
2014: Ranked top quarterback recruit
In 2014, Deshaun Watson was ranked as the top quarterback recruit for the 2014 class by ESPN 300.
2015: Led Clemson to undefeated season
In 2015, Deshaun Watson led Clemson to an undefeated 12-0 regular season and a #1 ranking in the polls.
November 8, 2016: Declared for NFL Draft
On November 8, 2016, Deshaun Watson declared for the NFL draft.
2016: College Football Playoff Semifinal Game
In 2016, Watson led Clemson to the College Football Playoff, defeating the Oklahoma Sooners in the Orange Bowl semifinal game and earning MVP honors.
2016: National Championship Game Loss
In 2016, Watson played in the College Football Playoff National Championship game against Alabama, throwing for 405 yards and four touchdowns in a 45-40 losing effort. He set a record for most total yards in a national championship game with 478.
2016: Won Davey O'Brien Award
In the fall of 2016, Watson became the first player since Jason White in 2003-2004 to win the Davey O'Brien Award in consecutive years.
May 12, 2017: Signed with the Houston Texans
On May 12, 2017, Deshaun Watson signed a four-year, $13.84 million contract with the Houston Texans.
September 10, 2017: NFL Regular-Season Debut
On September 10, 2017, Deshaun Watson made his first regular-season appearance against the Jacksonville Jaguars, throwing his first NFL touchdown pass.
2017: Won College Football Playoff National Championship
In 2017, Clemson defeated Alabama 35–31 in the College Football Playoff National Championship, with Watson completing 36 of 56 passes for 420 yards and three touchdowns, including the game-winning pass. He was named the game's offensive MVP.
2018: Texans trade first round pick
In 2017, the Texans traded their 25th overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft and their first round pick in the 2018 NFL draft to acquire Deshaun Watson.
April 28, 2020: Texans exercised fifth-year option
On April 28, 2020, the Texans exercised the fifth-year option on Watson's contract.
2020: Requested trade from Texans
Following the 2020 season, Deshaun Watson requested a trade by the Texans.
2020: Best season of franchise history
In 2020, Deshaun Watson finished the season with a league-leading 4,823 passing yards, as well as 33 touchdowns to only seven interceptions. By all major statistical measures, this was the best season in franchise history.
March 18, 2022: Watson traded to the Browns, signs record deal
On March 18, 2022, Deshaun Watson was traded to the Cleveland Browns along with the Texans' 2024 sixth-round draft pick. In exchange, the Browns sent their first-round draft picks in 2022, 2023, and 2024, as well as their third-round pick in 2023 and fourth-round picks in 2022 and 2024. Watson also signed a new, fully guaranteed, five-year, $230 million contract with the Browns, the largest guaranteed contract in NFL history.
2023: Browns' draft pick trade
In 2023, Deshaun Watson was part of a trade that sent the Browns' third-round draft pick to the Texans.
2024: Browns' draft pick trade and contract signing
In 2024, Deshaun Watson was involved in a trade that sent the Browns' sixth-round draft pick to the Texans. Also as part of the trade, Watson signed a new, fully guaranteed, five-year, $230 million deal with the Browns, making it the largest guaranteed contract in NFL history.
2025: Contract End
In 2020, Deshaun Watson signed a four-year contract extension, keeping him under contract through the 2025 season.
