Deshaun Watson vows to change outlook, 'embrace moment'

CLEMSON, S.C. -- Clemson quarterback Deshaun Watson on Monday said he has had a hard time enjoying the start to the 2016 season because media obligations and expectations have weighed him down.

"This past weekend, you could feel the energy, starting with me being the leader of the team, not really enjoying it," Watson said. "You can tell my body language has been bad, and it spreads throughout the team -- and then it spreads throughout the fans. You can feel the energy in the stadium, that people weren't really excited about the game.

"Just got to live in the moment, embrace the moment and enjoy. It took a long time for me to put a smile on my face over the course of my lifetime, and my experience of what I've been through on and off the field. It's a blessing to have this opportunity to be here.

"It's a privilege to be in this position, to have people want to talk to me, to have people want to hear my story and hear what's going on, because it can easily be on the flip side, and no one wants to talk to me, no one respects me one-on-one, no one in the stands wearing my jersey. It's a blessing. It just kind of got away from me a little bit with all the attention I've gotten. Just got to find myself and be the Deshaun Watson I always will be."

Clemson (2-0), returning eight starters on offense from last year, has struggled to pick up where it left off last season thanks to a combination of mistakes -- from dropped passes to an ineffective run game.

Watson, a Heisman finalist in 2015 after throwing for more than 4,000 yards and rushing for over 1,000, has been unable to make the spectacular plays in the run game he did a season ago against Auburn and Troy, both focused in on stopping him.

"I'm not Superman. I'm not a superhero, and I had a talk with Coach [Dabo] Swinney," Watson said. "I'm human. I'm going to make mistakes. You live and learn and correct the mistakes. Had a reality check this weekend with myself ... So much media attention [wears] down on me, and I just really apologize to you guys and all the fans. This opportunity is very rare, and next year who knows what's going to happen, but it's very short, so really just apologize to you all and [want to bring] that enjoyment back."

Clemson co-offensive coordinator Jeff Scott said the message this week has been to tell Watson and the entire offense to just relax and let loose against South Carolina State on Saturday.

"Anytime you're a top player like Deshaun and the other guys we have on our team, their bar is set very, very high," Scott said. "When you're not reaching that bar, then you're very disappointed and it's not a lot of fun because you know where your line and your potential is and when you're not hitting that, it gets frustrating for the players, it gets frustrating for the coaches."

"But our message to all those guys is: When you come here, go out, have fun and play the game. Don't put more pressure on yourself than is needed. Sometimes there's a little bit of an attitude that they've got to be perfect. They're still going to make mistakes. The type of attitude you have, the way you approach it, the way you come back that next series, that's really going to dictate how the rest of the game goes."