Follow @BillyEmbody

SMU released a video on Thursday morning highlighting the relationship between former Clemson quarterback Deshaun Watson and SMU head coach Chad Morris, who was offensive coordinator at Clemson during Watson's freshman year.

Morris recruited Watson to Clemson, a process which started his freshman year of high school, but the two remain close and Watson has visited SMU multiple times since Morris' arrival including one of his first spring practices as head coach.

When Watson's mother was sick, Morris was there for Watson as he went through that difficult time.

"He was the first one to offer me. The relationship was bigger than football and getting me on campus," Watson said in the video. "He was always there for me during my mom's situation when my mom was sick." http://www.scout.com/college/southern-methodist/story/1774049-q-a-smu-wr-kevin-thomas-ready-to-break-out

The Heisman Trophy winner and Walter Camp Player of the Year led Clemson down the field on a game-winning drive in the National Championship game against Alabama, giving Clemson the 35-31 victory.

"Deshaun makes everybody better in the most critical moments of the game," Morris said. "There was no doubt they gave the ball to the wrong guy."

Watson thanked Morris along with current head coach Dabo Swinney and other coaches immediately following the National Championship.

On Thursday night, Watson hopes to be selected in the NFL Draft, where he's projected to go sometime in the first round. The 2017 NFL Draft begins at 7 p.m. CT on ESPN and NFL Network.

Watch the entire video below from SMU Football.

From Freshman year of high school to the NFL Draft, @coachchadmorris and @DeshaunWatson4 have come a long way together. pic.twitter.com/P2eWXNWJBA

— #PonyUpTempo (@SMU_Football) April 27, 2017