INDIANAPOLIS — DeShaun Watson would like everyone to know he's not Michael Jordan.
He made that clear Friday at the NFL's annual scouting combine when asked to respond to comments made by Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney, who described the Tigers quarterbacks as a potentially franchise-changing player.
"I just laughed at it," he said, chuckling. "I was thankful for the compliment, that was pretty cool. But I'm no Michael Jordan."
To be sure, Watson is as confident as they come. He proved as much during his podium session while fielding a wide range of questions about a decorated career that culminated in the 2017 College Football Playoff National Championship, which saw his Tigers take down top-ranked Alabama.
And in the coming days, he'll try and show teams — including the Browns, who've made it clear they'll take a careful look at the quarterbacks in Indianapolis — why he could be an answer.
"I'm going to prepare myself for every moment," Watson said, "so if I have to play early, or right away, then I'm going to be prepared for that moment and come in and produce and help a team out to win.''
Watson went 33-3 as a three-year starter at Clemson and amassed more than 10,000 yards and 90 touchdowns through the air during that span. He also accounted for almost 2,000 yards and 26 rushing touchdowns.
"I think all that's important," head coach Hue Jackson said when asked of Watson's production, "because obviously he had a great college career, won a national championship, competed at a high level. Very talented player."
The Browns, armed with the first and 12th overall picks, are poised to take a quarterback early if they so choose. They'll use the combine to dig deeper into the makeup of the signal-callers, including Watson and other quarterbacks.
Watson saved, perhaps, his most electric performance for last this past January against Alabama in the national title game, completing 36-of-54 throws for 443 total yards and four touchdowns (three passing, one rushing), including the game-winner with under five seconds to play.
Watson, asked of the prospect of helping turn around a franchise, said he'd embrace that kind of challenge.
"(You) just come in and create an environment, just get everyone on the same page. You just gotta be patient with it, it takes time," he said.
"Winning at the NFL level is not easy, it's tough and each and every week is a tough week. You've gotta be on the same page with the guys and pull it out. Just being able to have that experience of winning maybe it could spread throughout a team and a franchise and spread throughout the players and turn the franchise around."
But again, Watson would like it to be known he's no Michael Jordan.
"I'm Deshaun Watson," he said, "and my goal is to one day to have people talk about me like they do Michael Jordan."
