Thursday March 28th, 2024 9:33PM

Watson to the Texans: Gainesville, Clemson star drafted No. 12 by Houston

PHILADELPHIA — At the high school and collegiate level Deshaun Watson's ultimate hallmark was winning -- and winning big.

The Houston Texans are banking Watson will continue that trend at the professional level, drafting the former Gainesville High and Clemson star 12th overall in the 2017 NFL Draft on Thursday in Philadelphia.

Watson was the third quarterback selected in the first round, but the Texans traded up 13 spots to get the state title and CFP winner. 

He joins a team developing a winning pedigree, as the Texans are coming off a playoff berth in 2016. Yet Houston was in desperate need of a quarterback because they traded away starter Brock Osweiler after one inconsistent season. The only quarterbacks on the Texans roster were Tom Savage and Brandon Weeden.

Like so many other Gainesville residents, his former high school coach found himself waiting with baited breath on Thursday. And now Bruce Miller can grin with plenty of satisfaction.

"What a great place for Deshaun to go," Miller said of Houston. "They're looking for a QB; they traded up for him to make sure they can get him... I heard Deshaun's sister say last week that she kinda wished he'd go to Houston. She got her wish."

Miller coached Watson and Gainesville to the 2012 Class AAAAA GHSA state championship. And even then Miller believed the sky was the limit for his young quarterback -- but this is something transcendent indeed.

"A first round draft pick, from Gainesville High, we all got to coach the 12th overall pick... You almost pinch yourself; Is this really happening?" Miller chuckled. "Ever since he's been a quarterback for us, it's been like, 'did this guy actually come through here?'

"It's an exciting feeling. I'm really happy for him. I'll probably text him tonight or tomorrow to tell him congratulations -- but he may not get to it until the 4th of July!"
 
Miller watched, along with the rest of the nation, as two other quarterbacks -- North Carolina's Mitchell Trubisky and Texas Tech's Patrick Mahomes II -- were selected ahead of Watson, also noted for his leadership, work ethic and willingness to learn. Watson also threw for 4,593 yards and 41 touchdowns to lead Clemson to the 2017 national title and graduated following the season.

"It was kind of agonizing for him, thinking about him sitting in green room waiting," Miller said. "But he's going to a place that will value him and understand him."

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