Deshaun Watson on How Elite 11 Changed His Life: 'Like a Family to Me'

MANHATTAN BEACH, Calif. — After a year in which he burst onto the national scene in leading Clemson to a berth in the College Football Playoff National Championship Game, Tigers All-American quarterback Deshaun Watson has had a busy offseason.

His time is in demand, but he made sure to clear his schedule to attend the Elite 11 finals in Los Angeles last month to help Trent Dilfer and his staff as a college counselor for the event. 

His reasoning was simple.

“Elite 11 is like a family to me. It’s a fraternity,” Watson told Bleacher Report. “No matter what age you are or what position in life you are at, you can always relate to each other and talk to one another. It’s not just about learning about football. It’s learning about life and your experiences.” 

After making the Elite 11 finals in 2013, Watson noted he’s leaned on the guidance he receives from Dilfer and his staff—most of whom have been through similar experiences in their playing careers.

“Elite 11 is one of those things that prepares you for the journey you are about to go through in college and beyond,” Watson explained. “The things you are going to go through, the guys here have already done it. I always come back because it’s fun and you always learn something new from these guys.

"They have already taught me so much, and that’s why it’s always fun to come back and see everyone whenever I have a chance."

There’s another component for Watson that makes this trip special. As ESPN.com’s David M. Hale detailed, his journey to Clemson has had its share of bumps in the road. Watson has tattoos emblazoned on both forearms to remind him of the troubles in his old neighborhood he escaped. 

But that’s precisely why he feels it’s important for him to be there. He wanted to share his story with 24 quarterbacks who represent the game's future.

“I just want to try and set the example of how to balance out football, life and school,” he explained. “Being able to give back and show how I’ve been able to do things, it’s just special to be able to show them what happens when you try to do things the right way. I’m here because I want to teach these guys how to do it the right way.”

Dealing with adversity and success on and off the field was another topic he mentioned to the group. He talked of having to rehab from a torn ACL this time a year ago then emerging as a Heisman finalist by the end of the 2015 season.

“Adversity will hit you eventually, whether it’s with injuries, life in general or socially,” Watson said. “You have to be able to handle that, but you also have to be able to handle success. There’s great times when you are having success, especially at the collegiate level. You are exposed to so many things, so you are able to see more things and do things you never thought you would be able to do.

"You just have to make sure you handle those things the right way, too. One mistake could cause a lot of problems for your family, your school and your teammates. Handling success is just as tough as dealing with adversity.”

According to 4-star passer and Tigers pledge Chase Brice, Watson’s message carried a lot of weight considering his achievements on and off the field.

“To see where he’s been and the success he’s had, he shared his journey through Elite 11 last night in his confessional. He’s had so much success on the field and he’s on track to graduate in December, so for him to speak with us and teach us, it’s just been a really neat thing,” Brice said.

Watson, who figures to be a prime contender for the Heisman again this season and a potential first-round pick if he enters next year’s NFL draft, acknowledges the importance Elite 11 has had during his journey.

“The main impact Elite 11 has made on me is that it has changed the way I see things now, on and off the field. It’s changed my perspective and shown me how to approach things as I get older and experience new things. It’s had a great impact on how I play the position of quarterback and the way I go about my life socially.”

Among the things he stressed to the group were handling the pressures and responsibilities that come with playing the most important position on the field.

“It’s a different world when you play quarterback. We aren’t the regular college student on campus or even the average football player on campus,” Watson explained. “Being an Elite 11 quarterback, you represent your family, your school and all of the other guys who came before you in this fraternity. There’s only one quarterback on the field, and he’s usually the guy that is responsible for the team’s failures and successes.

"Elite 11 has taught me about the responsibilities you have as a quarterback, and how to deal with the pressures of being a leader on and off the field.”

Still, giving back is something that brings joy to the Gainesville, Georgia, native. His journey through the Elite 11 fraternity is something he speaks about with pride, and he feels that will be the case when he looks back on it after some years have passed.

“It’s going to bring me a lot of joy when I look back on it 10 years from now, when this fraternity and camp will still be going on. When I reflect on it and think about my times, it will be cool to see how the Elite 11 has continued to grow through the years.”

Sanjay Kirpalani is a National Recruiting Analyst for Bleacher Report. Unless otherwise noted, all quotes obtained firsthand and all recruiting information courtesy of 247Sports.

Follow @SanjayKirpalani