Deshaun Watson wins a 2017 ESPY Award

CU Athletic Communications by

Clemson, S.C.—Former Clemson quarterback Deshaun Watson became the first athlete in school history to win an ESPY Award on Wednesday evening. Watson was named the Best Male College Athlete at the ESPY Awards program in Los Angeles.

Other finalists for the award were Ian Harkes, Wake Forest soccer; Frank Mason, Kansas basketball; Matt Rambo, Maryland lacrosse; Zain Retherford, Penn State wrestling.

It was the last of a long list of awards from the 2016 season for the native of Gainesville, Georgia, who quarterbacked Clemson to its first national championship in 35 years.

Watson was named the ACC Athlete of the Year last month, the second time he was honored by the league. He is the first two-time ACC Athlete of the Year since Charlie Ward of Florida State in 1992-93.

Watson won the Davey O’Brien Award, the Manning Award, and the Unitas Award as the top quarterback in college football in 2016. The two-time All-American was the Most Valuable player of the ACC Championship game, the CFP Semifinal victory over Ohio State and the National Championship victory over Alabama.

The No. 12 selection of the NFL draft by the Houston Texans, Watson led Clemson to a 32-3 record in his career with the Tigers. He was a two-time All-American and winner of the 2016 Bobby Bowden Award as the top all-around student-athlete in college football. He also was named Academic All-ACC in 2014 and 2016 and graduated in just three years.

Congrats to @deshaunwatson on winning Best Male College Athlete at the 2017 #ESPYS! pic.twitter.com/4AzZz4Q2Pg — ESPN CollegeFootball (@ESPNCFB) July 13, 2017

Here is the complete list of winners:

Best Breakthrough Athlete: Dak Prescott

Best Game: Patriots, Falcons Super Bowl

Best Coach: Bob Hurley, Sr.

Best Moment: Chicago Cubs

Best Championship Performance: Kevin Durant

Best Record-Breaking Performance: Michael Phelps

Best Play: Aaron Rodgers/Jared Cook

Best Female Athlete: Simone Biles

Best Male Athlete: Russell Westbrook

Best Team: Golden State Warriors

Best Upset: Mississippi State defeats U Conn

Best NFL Player: Aaron Rodgers

Best WNBA Player: Candace Parker

Best Male College Athlete: DeShaun Watson

Best Female College Athlete: Kelly Barnhill

Best Female Action Sports Athlete: Anna Gasser

Best Male US Olympic Athlete: Michael Phelps

Best Female US Olympic Athlete: Simone Biles

Best Male Athlete with a Disability: Steve Serio

Best Female Athlete with a Disability: Becca Meyers

Best Comeback Athlete: Jordy Nelson

Best International Athlete: Usain Bolt

Best NBA Player: LeBron James

Best MLB Player: Mike Trout

Best NHL Player: Sidney Crosby

Best Driver: Lewis Hamilton

Best Male Action Sports Athlete: Mark McMorris

Best Fighter: Demetrious Johnson

Best Male Golfer: Sergio Garcia

Best Female Golfer: Ariya Jutanugarn

Best Male Tennis Player: Roger Federer

Best Female Tennis Player: Serena Williams

Best MLS Player: David Villa

Best Jockey: John Velazquez

Best Bowler: Jason Belmonte