CLEMSON, S.C. -- There was no politicking needed for Clemson to earn its second straight berth in the College Football Playoff, so Dabo Swinney turned his attention to quarterback Deshaun Watson's candidacy for the Heisman Trophy.

"I don't have a vote, but if I had one, it'd be the easiest vote ever," Swinney said. "He represents everything you could possibly want in a Heisman. He's made college football better in his three years."

Watson wrapped up his 2016 Heisman campaign with a win over Virginia Tech on Saturday, accounting for 373 yards and five touchdowns.

"I don't have a vote, but if I had one, it'd be the easiest vote ever," Clemson coach Dabo Swinney said of quarterback Deshaun Watson's Heisman Trophy candidacy, adding, "He's made college football better in his three years." Kim Klement/USA TODAY Sports

It was a fitting final salvo in a battle for the award that looked to be all but over three weeks ago, when Louisville Cardinals quarterback Lamar Jackson was the runaway favorite. Since then, however, Jackson has lost two games and Watson has finished with a flurry, accounting for 1,784 yards and 20 touchdowns since Nov. 1 -- both tops among FBS players.

"Deshaun Watson is the best player," Swinney said. "He might not have been the best player in September, but he's been the best player in October and November and December, and the stats will bear that out."

Still, Watson's overall numbers fall a little shy of Jackson's. Jackson holds the edge in touchdowns (51 to 43) and yards (4,928 to 4,443) and has three fewer turnovers, despite playing behind an offensive line that allowed 27 more sacks than Watson endured.

Swinney argues the wins and losses are the ultimate arbiter, however.

"Lamar is a great player, too, but they went head-to-head," Swinney said. "They lost three games and we lost one, by one point, and in that game our quarterback threw for 580 yards. He's just incredible."

Should Watson win the award, he'd be the first to do so after being a finalist the previous year since Reggie Bush went from fifth in 2004 to winning it in 2005.

Finalists for the Heisman will be announced Monday, and the winner will be named in New York on Saturday.