Clemson QB Deshaun Watson decides to skip the Senior Bowl

In the upcoming months, Clemson quarterback Deshaun Watson will probably be the most debated player of the 2017 NFL draft.

Some love what he did in college, playing very well as he led Clemson to two straight College Football Playoff title game appearances, and one championship. Others see flaws in his game when it comes to the NFL, like his accuracy and his relatively small frame as a mobile quarterback.

While Watson might benefit from answering some of those questions at the Senior Bowl, he’s understandably tired. Phil Savage, the executive director of the Senior Bowl, confirmed that Watson won’t be participating in next week’s game and the all-important week of practice that leads up to it. Watson’s agent David Mulugheta told NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport that he’s focusing on preparing for the NFL scouting combine after a grueling season.

It also could indicate Watson feels OK about his draft stock after a tremendous final season at Clemson. He seems like the most volatile stock in the draft, someone who will be all over the place in mock drafts. Players often use Senior Bowl week to solidify the perception of their games or improve their standings among NFL decision makers. Many players who skip it, like Alabama defensive players Jonathan Allen and Reuben Foster, don’t have a lot of room to move up in the draft.

We’ll hear plenty about Watson and where he might be drafted in the lead-up to the draft. We just won’t see him practice and play in the Senior Bowl.

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Frank Schwab is the editor of Shutdown Corner on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at shutdown.corner@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!
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