In a game filled with standout performers, here are a few that caught our collective eye in Clemson’s 49-10 victory over Wofford…

QB Deshaun Watson

There was nothing innately flashy about Deshaun Watson’s performance. That’s a testament to how elite he has been in the brief glimpses of on-field action people have seen. Watson completed 18 of his 22 passes and efficiently led five straight scoring drives.

More importantly, however, he appeared uninhibited by the knee injury that cost him his bowl game last year and the entire offseason. Watson will almost assuredly be better than he was against Wofford in the future, but in game one, he was more than good enough.

 S Jayron Kearse

One could make the argument Jayron Kearse is the most indispensable piece of Clemson’s defense. Against the Terriers, he lent plenty of credibility to that particular line of thinking.

Due to the depth in the secondary, Kearse should enjoy significant freedom to roam and make plays. He routinely set the edge at the line of scrimmage against Wofford’s option. His unique ability to recover prevented big plays at the back of the defense. He even threw in a solid hit or two. If something needed to be done at any point for Clemson’s defense, chances are pretty good Kearse did it.

WR Ray Ray McCloud

The freshman burst onto the scene with a big game against Wofford. McCloud hauled in eight passes for 80 yards and looked very similar to another prolific freshman from a season ago—Artavis Scott, who had a fine day in his own right.

Much was made of this freshman class heading into the 2015 campaign, and several of its members made contributions on Saturday. Only one was the leader of his position group, however, and that player was McCloud.

WR Mike Williams

Williams’ injury marred the first drive of the season, but it was the play he made that caused the injury that got his name onto this list. Watson lofted a ball toward Williams in the back of the end zone. It was too tall for him, but the lanky Williams rose up to grab it, then he contorted his body awkwardly and toe-tapped inside the white line before crashing into the base of the goal post.

The extent of the neck injury he suffered is not known at this time, but Williams sacrificed a great deal and exerted himself above and beyond the call of duty in order to make a play for his team. That effort deserves to be commended, even if it is the final effort he gives in 2015.