So, ESPN recently shouted out three Clemson football legends as the best ever to wear their jersey numbers. Deshaun Watson, Trevor Lawrence, and William Perry—those names ring out for a reason.
Each of them left a mark on college football and Clemson that’s hard to miss. Whether it was wild records or national titles, these guys set the bar pretty high.
Deshaun Watson: The Iconic No. 4
Deshaun Watson’s run at Clemson was, honestly, the stuff of legend. No. 4 wasn’t just a number—it became a symbol of big moments and bigger wins.
Watson’s freshman year kicked off with a touchdown pass against Georgia. That set the tone for what was coming next.
His first start? He lit up North Carolina for 435 yards and six touchdowns. Not exactly a quiet entrance.
Key Achievements
- 420 passing yards in the 2017 national championship game against Alabama, who had the top defense in the country.
- That last-second touchdown pass to Hunter Renfrow—yeah, the one that finally brought Clemson another national title after decades.
- Leading Clemson to their first win over South Carolina in six years, and he did it on a torn ACL. Wild.
- Twice finishing in the top three for the Heisman.
- A career record of 32-3—not too shabby, right?
Watson’s leadership and knack for clutch plays? Pretty much unmatched. If you want to dig deeper, check out the full TigerNet article here.
Trevor Lawrence: The Prodigious No. 16
After Watson, Trevor Lawrence picked up the torch in that No. 16 jersey. Clemson’s quarterback tradition kept rolling.
Lawrence put up a wild win-loss record and snagged a national championship. From the jump, he showed off serious talent and composure.
Key Statistics
- A win-loss record of 34-2, which puts him right up there among the best QBs since the late ’70s.
- 67% completions, with 90 touchdowns and only 17 picks.
- Over 10,000 passing yards across his career.
He never grabbed a Heisman, but honestly, does that even matter? Lawrence still belongs in the conversation about all-time greats. Curious for more? The TigerNet article has you covered here.
William Perry: The Dominant No. 66
William Perry—most folks know him as “The Fridge”—was a beast on the defensive line. No. 66 was his, and he made sure everyone remembered it.
Perry’s size and quickness made life miserable for offenses. He could move in ways that just didn’t seem possible for a guy his size.
Career Highlights
- Weighed 200 pounds in sixth grade. Not your average middle schooler.
- Led Division I with 2.45 tackles for loss per game as a senior.
- Set school records with 25 sacks and 60 career TFLs—until his brother broke them, anyway.
- Won a national title as a Clemson freshman.
- Scored a touchdown as a fullback in the 1985 Super Bowl with the Bears. That’s just fun.
Perry’s legacy at Clemson and beyond? It’s huge, literally and figuratively. For more on his wild career, check out TigerNet’s full piece here.
Honorable Mentions
There were a couple of other Clemson guys who got a nod, too:
- Terry Kinard (No. 43)
- Banks McFadden (No. 66)
Both made big contributions in their own ways. It just goes to show how deep Clemson’s football history really is.
Conclusion
The legacy of these Clemson football legends really says a lot about the program’s tradition of excellence. Deshaun Watson, Trevor Lawrence, and William Perry have all set the bar sky-high for anyone coming after them.
They’ve brought plenty of glory to Clemson. It’s hard to imagine college football history without their names in the mix.
If you want to dig deeper into what made their careers so special, check out the full article on TigerNet here.
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