Clemson Football: Ranking the Top 5 Freshman Seasons in Tigers History

We are a few days away from the return of Clemson quarterback Deshaun Watson, but let’s first take a step back and examine the best freshman seasons in school history. Does Watson—who has 12 touchdowns despite missing almost four games—have the numbers to make an argument for one of the best freshman seasons?

I have put together a list of five Tigers who were impressive in their freshman seasons, ranked from least impressive to most impressive. Let’s start the list.

5. James Davis (2005)

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Davis put up great numbers in his time at Clemson, and those statistics started to show in Year 1. As a freshman, he rushed for 849 yards and nine touchdowns, which set the Tigers' single-season freshman touchdown record at the time.

He rushed for 100 yards in a game four times that season and was later named ACC Rookie of the Year.

4. Deshaun Watson (2014)

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Despite missing action in three games—and pretty much the entire Louisville game—Watson has posted impressive numbers. The true freshman has 12 passing touchdowns and 1,176 yards, and he still has at least four games to add to those totals.

His first career start against North Carolina was one for the ages, as he threw for 435 yards and six touchdowns. In doing so, he broke Tajh Boyd’s record for passing touchdowns in a single game and came close to also breaking the passing yards mark.

He hasn’t made it through his freshman season quite yet, but his numbers so far are worthy of being on this list. He has the potential to move up the list, but his performance thus far warrants a spot in Tigers history.

3. Justin Miller (2002)

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Miller is one of the most exciting players to have put on Clemson orange over the years, and his freshman season was spectacular. The defensive back was stingy to opposing quarterbacks that year, coming away with eight interceptions.

The defensive numbers led him to being selected to the Freshman All-American team, and he finished second in the balloting for ACC Rookie of the Year.

He was also a threat in the kick return game. His 35.1 kickoff return average during his freshman season set a Clemson single-season record.

2. C.J. Spiller (2006)

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Spiller came into a situation where he didn’t start at running back, but he still put up some of the best freshman statistics in Clemson history.

He ran for 938 yards and 10 touchdowns, all as the backup to James Davis. In a prime-time matchup against Georgia Tech—on a day when College GameDay made a stop to Clemson—Spiller rushed for 116 yards and also added a 50-yard touchdown reception in which he juked out two Georgia Tech players on a flare pass.

He was one of the most exciting players in Clemson history, and he wasted no time in showing the country a glimpse of what was to come in his collegiate and professional career.

1. Sammy Watkins (2011)

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Watkins absolutely exploded on the scene as a true freshman, catching 82 passes for 1,219 yards and 12 touchdowns. He is undoubtedly the best freshman in school history, because he amassed numbers worthy of one of the best freshman seasons in collegiate history.

The explosive wide receiver became only the fourth true freshman to be recognized as an AP First-Team All-American, and he broke 11 freshman school records in 2011.

He was Boyd’s most reliable target that season, and there’s not much of an argument against him being considered the best freshman in school history.