By KEVIN MOBLEY – Web Writer
Gainesville High School senior quarterback Deshaun Watson, the No. 1-rated high school quarterback in the country, has been able to cope with national attention off the field while performing at a high level on it.
What was your first impression of Deshaun?
GHS head football coach Bruce Miller: He was a seventh grader when I actually first met him. It was in a middle school game. He struck me right off the bat as somebody who was very athletic, very easy to teach. We were at halftime of a middle school game, and I had to teach him how to quick kick and he picked it up in about ten seconds. He showed that he had a lot of athleticism.
What’s your take on all the media attention he’s gotten?
BM: It’s unbelievable that a 17- or 18-year old would get as much attention as he has. When you go somewhere with him, especially to a football function, it’s like you walked in with a movie star. Everybody wants to talk to him, everybody wants to take a picture of him and he’s handled it just like a pro. I couldn’t ask for a kid to handle it any better.
Where do you think that comes from?
BM: I think it comes from being brought up right. His mother, his brother, his aunts and uncles have really brought him up right, and I think a large part of it is Deshaun’s personality. He’s very laid back, he’s not a big talker and he listens. He just kind of gathers everything in, but I think a big tribute goes to his mother.
How would you describe your mom’s influence on your values, work ethic and the like?
Deshaun Watson: She influenced me a lot and taught me a lot of different things about life; a lot of other different things I couldn’t learn from just playing football. She’s influenced me my whole life.
Is there one lesson in particular that she’s given you?
DW: Just being who you are, never change. Make sure you watch your surroundings and surround yourself with positive people.
Did you ever come to the point where you said to yourself “I could be elite at football?”
DW: Real early, back in my elementary school days, I always thought if I kept playing and working hard that I could achieve any dream I want to by playing football.
What was the hardest aspect of high school to adjust to?
DW: I would say people knowing who you are, even though you don’t know them. Walking around campus and having to watch what you say, what you wear and what you do around people; you never know who’s watching you. In my case, everyone knew who I was.
Did being the starting varsity quarterback as a freshman have an influence on how you played or acted?
DW: I had to grow up real, real fast. Coming from the middle school, I was real young, so once I got on the varsity team as a freshman, I had to change a lot, mature fast and learn the way I needed to act around people in public.
Were there any upperclassmen when you were a freshman that you looked up to?
DW: A.J. Johnson, who’s a linebacker at Tennessee right now. I look up to him and what he’s done. He’s had the opportunity to go play college football, I want to do the same. I talk to him a lot about different things. He just told me to keep working hard and you can achieve anything you want to.
What was your first game for the varsity team like?
DW: It was against Buford and it was crazy actually. I had to adjust to everything so fast, and I was 14 years old playing with a bunch of 17-, 18-, 19-year olds. I just had to grow up real fast, but it was a good experience and ever since then I’ve been on the ball.
How did you feel with your performance last year?
DW: It was great being able to be the first quarterback here to win a state championship. It was pretty cool to have all the community and alumni be proud of that and be excited about football.
Describe the moments after the GHSA state championship game.
DW: It really didn’t hit me until we had the parade a couple months later, but it was knowing that a whole bunch of college and pro guys played on that turf. Bringing the state championship home was something I dreamed about as a kid, and being the quarterback on that team… it was a great moment.
Did it change your personality?
DW: No, I’m still the same guy. You can ask anyone in the community. Even though I brought that to Gainesville High School and to myself, I’m still the same guy. I’m still just a regular student here.
Do you think Deshaun has what it takes to be an elite quarterback at the college or even professional level?
BM: Sure I do. I think he’s got the smarts you have to have to play at that level. I think the biggest thing is for him to stay healthy. I think he’ll pick up the college game really fast; he’s picked up the high school game really fast. He’s never played a JV down for us, he’s always been the starting varsity quarterback.
