Deshaun Watson

If not for a November ACL tear, Watson would be a top-5 QB entering this season. He's expected to be healthy for the start of the season, but it is hard to tell whether the knee injury will linger into the year. Furthermore, he gets exposed to a lot of hits due to his running ability, and he looks smaller than his listed 205 pounds. Still, Watson looked like a borderline transcendent talent before the injury last year, throwing for 1,466 yards (10.7 YPA), 14 touchdowns and two interceptions with 200 rushing yards and five more touchdowns, mostly across five starts. Watson has two elite receivers to target in Mike Williams and Artavis Scott and could dominate if he stays healthy.

Cole Stoudt doesn't seem to get much respect at Clemson, as he's perceived as a low-upside prospect despite throwing for 413 yards, five touchdowns and no interceptions last year off the bench. Still, Stoudt's experience as a fourth-year player and strong showings as a backup over the last two years make him the favorite to open the season as the starting quarterback in Clemson's profitable offense. If Stoudt struggles at all, though, a program with Clemson's ambitiousness won't settle long for mediocrity. It would likely turn to Watson in such an event, as the high-ranking 2014 recruit is perhaps the most anticipated player in the entire program.