Deshaun Watson isn't anywhere near as big as Cam Newton, and it remains to be seen if the Clemson star quarterback is regarded on the same level as a draft prospect as the Carolina Panthers' former No. 1 overall pick.
But from the standpoint of dominating the college game, Nick Saban sees a similarity.
"That guy is the most significantly dominant player that we've played against since Cam Newton in 2010," Saban said Tuesday during an interview on ESPN's College Football Live.
In Newton's only start for Auburn against the rival Crimson Tide, he engineered a remarkable comeback, on the road, in the 2010 Iron Bowl. Alabama led 24-7 at the half, and Auburn stormed back for a 28-27 win behind Newton, who accounted for all of Auburn's second-half scoring with two touchdown passes and a touchdown run.
So who are some of the most dominant players Saban's teams faced between that game and the Crimson Tide's narrow escape of Clemson and Watson, 45-40, in the College Football Playoff title game in January? Try Johnny Manziel, Todd Gurley, Leonard Fournette, Ezekiel Elliott, Mike Evans and Odell Beckham, Jr., among offensive players. Defensively, players like Joey Bosa, Patrick Peterson and Fletcher Cox come to mind. None, clearly, made quite the impression on Saban that Watson -- who passed for 405 yards and four touchdowns -- made against the Crimson Tide's vaunted defense on Jan. 11.
"That guy, coming back for that team, I think it going to make them a very, very competitive team in terms of being in the championship arena again," Saban said.
If Watson is to reach the CFP again this year, he'll do so with an advantage he had to work without last season. WR Mike Williams, one of the nation's most talented receivers, returns from a neck injury to give Watson another dangerous weapon in the Clemson offense.
And another way to dominate the game like Nick Saban hasn't seen in six years.
*Follow Chase Goodbread on Twitter **@ChaseGoodbread*.
