Clemson's comeback from a double-digit, second-half deficit to beat defending champion Alabama in the national title game was a tremendous end to the college football season.
What caught my eye were the draft-eligible prospects on Clemson's offense who saved the Tigers in the second half -- quarterback Deshaun Watson, wide receiver Mike Williams and tight end Jordan Leggett. (Sorry, Hunter Renfrow -- my MVP of the game -- but you're just a sophomore.) Watson and Williams are underclassmen who are entering the 2017 draft, while Leggett is a senior.
Here's where I see those three -- plus running back Wayne Gallman, who didn't have a great game like the others -- being drafted in April:
One note to keep in mind: A lot can change between now and draft day on April 27. We still don't have accurate measurements or 40-yard dash times for any of the underclassmen who are entering the draft, and there's still time for prospects to impress at pro days and the combine. What I write below is where I see them getting drafted as of right now.
Quarterback Deshaun Watson
National title game stats: 36-of-56 passing for 420 yards, 43 rushing yards, four total TDs (three passing)
Watson had an up-and-down season, and I thought he took a step back in decision-making from his stellar sophomore season. His 17 interceptions -- and 30 over the past two seasons -- are worrisome. He has shown that he can make every throw that an NFL quarterback needs to make, but his lapses in decision-making hurt Clemson in the middle of the season. He didn't play like a first-round pick. He was much, much better down the stretch of the season, including on Monday night, but scouts aren't going to overreact to one game, good or bad. They'll take his entire tape into account.
Watson has decent size (6-foot-2, 210 pounds), and he's a battler -- he took some shots against the Tide and just kept getting up. His running skills get him into trouble at times because he wants to leave the pocket and take off, so he'll have to keep developing his pocket presence. What's going to be important for Watson is how he looks against the other quarterback prospects in this draft. He has an invitation to the Senior Bowl (he's eligible because he already has his degree) and should work out at the combine. Watson is my No. 3-ranked quarterback right now, and certainly has a chance to move up from this projection, because several teams have needs at QB and much can change during the draft process.
Where Watson projects in the draft: Day 2 pick.
Wide receiver Mike Williams
National title game stats: Eight catches for 94 yards and a TD
Williams is my top-ranked wide receiver, and he's a potential No. 1 wideout for an NFL team. He has great burst and speed for his size (6-2, 225), and he showed off his leaping ability Monday night with some stellar contested catches over Alabama defenders (while helping Watson's completion percentage). He has great hand-eye coordination and makes tough catches look easy. After missing most of 2015 because of a scary neck injury, Williams looked fully healthy this season. His 40-yard dash time at the combine will be the determining factor in how high he can really be picked, but I think Williams is a surefire first-round pick.
Where Williams projects in the draft: Top half of the first round.
Tight end Jordan Leggett
National title game stats: Seven catches for 95 yards
Leggett has gone under the radar a little bit in this tight end class because of how deep it is, but he has a shot to be a really good pro. At 6-5, 260, he has the frame, and he's athletic. Just check out this catch that got the Tigers a first-and-goal at the end of the game. Leggett had 15 touchdown catches over the past two seasons. Now, he will drop a pass every now and then, and he has a ways to go until he's a consistent, effective blocker, but he's my No. 4-ranked tight end, with the potential to move up depending on his workouts.
Where Leggett projects in the draft: Day 2 pick.
Running back Wayne Gallman
National title game stats: 46 rushing yards, 1 fumble, 1 TD, three catches for 39 yards
Gallman is a big back (6-0, 210) whose yardage was down this season (1,527 in 2015, 1,133 in 2016), but some of that can be put on an offensive line that was developing throughout the year. He still averaged more than 5.0 yards per carry and had 17 touchdowns. Gallman is a downhill runner with some speed. In a loaded running back class, I have him ranked eighth.
Where Gallman projects in the draft: Third- or fourth-round pick.