Opinion: Watson ready to launch into new stratosphere tonight

Just over seven years ago, Deshaun Watson launched a football career at Gainesville High School that exploded off the launching pad like so many NASA rockets.

Tonight, Watson will climb into a whole new orbit.

The local-boy-made-good is about to take his place amongst the best in his chosen sport, as the 2017 NFL Draft gets underway in Philadelphia -- the first round in primetime.

The only question remaining is Watson's destination.

He's answered just about everything else with his play on the field.

Taking first Gainesville and then Clemson to heights either never attained or at least unattained in decades, Watson is undoubtedly a winner, harboring that most ethereal -- and sought after -- quality available to any athlete: clutch.

Will it be enough to make him the No. 1 draft pick? The football-watching world will find out tonight, beginning at 8 p.m. But one thing is certain, whichever team selects the former Red Elephant will be getting a hard-working, talented and dedicated quarterback that has done everything asked of him at every level, a film-room warrior that oozes leadership.

Prognosticators across the nation have Watson slated everywhere, whether it be as an early selection or -- unbelievably -- falling out of the first round, as they endlessly debate his measureables -- you know, the same ones that made Tom Brady a sixth-round pick -- and whether a spread quarterback will succeed at the highest levels of the professional game.

Ask Clemson fans about Watson's abilities -- heck ask Alabama fans. Ask anyone that follows football in northeast Georgia... Unfortunately, we're not the ones making the decisions tonight, the ones that will impact professional organizations and the landscape of football for perhaps decades to come.

All we know is that Watson has impacted this town, this region, this sport for decades to come. And we'll all be watching with intent tonight when Gainesville's superstar takes another bow on the national stage.

Deshaun Watson during his playing days at Gainesville High.

http://accesswdun.com/article/2017/4/529484/opinion-watson-ready-to-launch-into-new-stratosphere-tonight