D.J. Reader is no longer with the Houston Texans, but he knows his original draft team has a bright future because of who they still have under center.
The new Cincinnati Bengals defensive tackle joined Ari Gold and Patrick Storm on the “Texans Unfiltered” podcast Thursday, and the former 2016 fifth-round pick from Clemson shared his candid thoughts about the former 2017 first-rounder from Clemson.
“I think the sky’s the limit for Deshaun,” Reader said. “I think you all see that. I think he does things that are so amazing and the competitor in him is just special. The will to not give up and not give up, want to win, want to take that strike, want to be that guy. He wants the pressure. He wants the heat every time.”
Watson produced three fourth quarter comebacks for the Texans in 2019 along with five game-winning drives. The football world got to see on an early Saturday afternoon in January the two-time Pro Bowler’s refusal to lose when he led the Texans to a 22-19 overtime win in the AFC wild-card versus the Buffalo Bills.
“He’s going to show up,” said Reader. “You can appreciate that, especially from a young kid who did everything that he possibly could have done, like, had to do coming out of college and still wasn’t the first quarterback taken or just random stuff. Just like of working very, very hard. He’s a winner. He’s proven it since he was younger.”
Reader knew that Watson was a winner when the Gainesville, Ga., native led Clemson to a 35-17 win over in-state rival South Carolina, all the while playing on a torn ACL. Watson completed 14-of-19 for 269 yards and two touchdowns while also rushing five times for 13 yards and two scores.
Said Reader: “I knew going out there and playing against South Carolina, torn ACL, he literally helped us win for the first time in a long time. He’s that kind of kid, and it means a lot that the person who’s supposed to be leading your organization is that kind of person. Everybody wants to follow behind that and everybody wants to fall in line with that.”
DJ Reader on Deshaun and how the future is bright as long as D4 is here#texans pic.twitter.com/BoLrXA1huG
— HoustonFBpodHost (@IamYoungarigold) June 11, 2020
Even though Reader is with the Bengals, who play the Texans Week 16 at NRG Stadium, it will be hard for the 6-3, 347-pound defensive tackle to hate on his former teammate.
“He’s got such a cool vibe, too,” said Reader. “It’s hard not to like Deshaun. He’s got such a cool vibe, such a good person, it’s hard not to. It’s tough. Good luck.
“If you don’t like Deshaun Watson, you’re crazy, dude. You’re crazy.”