By BJ Bennett
SouthernPigskin.com

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As attention turns to this fall, and ultimately next spring, the new tier one for quarterbacks starts in the ACC.

With quarterbacks Jared Goff and Carson Wentz going first and second overall in the first round of Thursday night’s NFL Draft, signal callers have now been the first two players off the board for the second straight year. Evaluation is constant for quarterbacks, the next level’s prime position. As attention turns to this fall, and ultimately next spring, the new tier one starts in the ACC.

Clemson’s Deshaun Watson and Miami’s Brad Kaaya, rising juniors, appear to be two of the top selections at and near the top of 2017 big boards.

As a sophomore, Watson led the Tigers to the College Football Playoff Final, torching champion Alabama for 473 total yards and four touchdowns in a 45-40 thriller. A dynamic playmaker, Watson threw for 4,104 yards, ran for 1,105 yards and scored 47 touchdowns a season ago. In a year where he was named a Heisman Trophy finalist, Watson was virtually unstoppable at times, even against the best. He helped Clemson beat the likes of Notre Dame, Florida State, North Carolina and Oklahoma, all ranked in the national top 15, as the Tigers went 14-1 on the year.

Kaaya earned the starting job from day one, debuting as a true freshman for the Hurricanes on a primetime Monday night at ranked Louisville. He responded by leading the league in touchdown passes with 26, earning ACC Rookie of the Year honors. Kaaya took another step forward in year two, compiling a touchdown-to-interception ratio of over 3-to-1 while again throwing for more than 3,100 yards. Through just two seasons at Miami, Kaaya is already fifth on the historic program’s all-time passing list.

While having different skill sets, Watson and Kaaya both stepped into leadership roles as true freshmen and have paralleled each other as young, but powerful, team leaders. Watson, with the Tigers set for lofty summer rankings, will look to get Clemson back in the national title discussion. With Mark Richt taking over on South Beach, Kaaya’s presence will be key in that coaching transition.

Some very early mock drafts have Watson slotted as the number one overall pick for 2017, with such chatter become commonplace. Kaaya isn’t far behind. College football is absolutely on the horizon, but, given what we have seen in recent drafts, the top of the professional charts could be as well.