Clemson quarterback Deshaun Watson might be the media preseason favorite for ACC Player of the Year, but the coaches have a different point of view.

During their recent visit to ESPN for the car wash, I asked the coaches for their preseason choice. Reigning ACC Player of the Year James Conner led the voting, with Georgia Tech quarterback Justin Thomas second and Watson third.

One coach put it this way: "How do you knock a guy proven to be one of the most dominant players in the league?"

Another coach gave his vote to Thomas because he was the most valuable player to Georgia Tech a season ago. "Without him, that season doesn't happen," he said.

Watson is coming off a knee injury, but coach Dabo Swinney is thrilled about his prospects. "It's been nine months. He could have played this spring," Swinney said. "He's really good. He's strong. You see him sprinting those hills like I've seen him this summer, you wouldn't ask me (about the injury). He's smoking. He looks good. Hopefully he can avoid that injury bug and move forward."

His potential is what makes him hard to ignore as preseason Player of the Year. One coach said if Watson stays healthy for all 12 games, Clemson could have a magical season.

Indeed, Watson is a big reason why Clemson is the preseason favorite to win the ACC. But unlike Conner and Thomas, he has yet to prove he can play at a consistently high level for an entire season.

Of course, this is all great preseason fodder. We'll see whether the coaches or media were right come December.