Sports
Sports

Fans react to Texans drafting Gainesville’s Deshaun Watson

Deshaun Watson of Clemson poses with Commissioner of the National Football League Roger Goodell after being picked #12 overall by the Houston Texans during the first round of the 2017 NFL Draft at the Philadelphia Museum of Art on April 27, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Deshaun Watson of Clemson poses with Commissioner of the National Football League Roger Goodell after being picked #12 overall by the Houston Texans during the first round of the 2017 NFL Draft at the Philadelphia Museum of Art on April 27, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
By Juliakate E Culpepper
April 28, 2017

Gainesville High School alum Deshaun Watson was drafted No. 12 overall by the Houston Texans in Thursday’s 2017 NFL Draft.

The Texans traded up for the 12th overall pick from the Browns.

The quarterback out of Clemson racked up 4,593 passing yards, 41 touchdowns and 17 interceptions in his junior season with the Tigers. Watson also rushed for nine touchdowns last season.

The Texans’ former starting quarterback Brock Osweiler was traded to the Browns in March.

Watson threw 36-of-56 for 420 yards for three touchdowns and no interceptions in Clemson’s National Championship win over Alabama.

Here’s what the internet and NFL fans had to say about Watson going to the Texans:

About the Author

Juliakate E Culpepper
More Stories

Keep Reading

Georgia Southern accepted a berth to the Birmingham Bowl, but it is still awaiting an opponent. According to reports, no one has accepted an invitation yet. (Sarah Peacock for the AJC)

Credit: Sarah Peacock

After delay, Georgia Southern knows its Birmingham Bowl opponent

Sun Belt rivals Georgia Southern and App State will play in the Birmingham Bowl, ccording to Brett McMurphy of On3.

Kennesaw State learns bowl fate, QB gets wish of ‘someplace warm’

Kennesaw State will take on Western Michigan in the Myrtle Beach Bowl on Dec. 19 at 11 a.m. It is the program's first-ever bowl game in just its second season in FBS.

Kennesaw State rolls to third straight win over rival Georgia State

Kennesaw State won its third game in a row, this time against in-state rival Georgia State, 92-69. It was the Owls' third straight win.

The Latest

General view as the Atlanta Hawks host the San Antonio at State Farm Arena, Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025, in Atlanta. The Spurs won 126-125. (Jason Getz / AJC)

Credit: Jason Getz / Jason.Getz@ajc.com

Atlanta TV sports listings

After delay, Georgia Southern knows its Birmingham Bowl opponent

Kennesaw State learns bowl fate, QB gets wish of ‘someplace warm’

Featured

Ceudy Gutierrez reads a book to her 2-year-old son, Matias, at their home in Buford, GA, on Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2025. Ceudy Gutierrez is struggling to make ends meet for herself and her three young kids following her husband’s ICE arrest earlier this fall. (Miguel Martinez/ AJC)

Credit: Miguel Martinez-Jimenez

When ICE takes breadwinners, it takes a toll on families ... and on the economy

For immigrant families, brushes with ICE can result in financial precarity that could have implications for the broader economy.

‘I’m a bad kid,’ he told himself. How Georgia’s special ed program failed one child.

Parents find that it's easy to get into the GNETS program, but in some districts, difficult to leave.

‘A lot of blame, but not enough action’: Atlanta leaders lack path to fix jail

Stakeholders across Atlanta and Fulton County grapple with a complex web of issues that contribute to overcrowding, crumbling structure.