SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. _ Imagine if Ohio State second-team All-America linebacker Raekwon McMillan had ended up at Clemson.
Imagine if Clemson quarterback Deshaun Watson, a two-time Heisman Trophy finalist, had chosen Ohio State.
Both scenarios were possible. Now the two players will square off Saturday in the PlayStation Fiesta Bowl, with the winner of the College Football Playoff semifinal advancing to the Jan. 9 national championship in Tampa, Fla.
Clemson co-offensive coordinator Jeff Scott visited McMillan's high school, Liberty County in Hinesville, Ga., 17 times. Scott said Wednesday the player he remains closest to that he didn't get was McMillan.
"One of the best relationships I built when I was getting recruited was coach Jeff Scott," McMillan said at the J.W. Marriott Camelback Inn. "Him and his wife, Miss Sara, they do an incredible job recruiting guys to Clemson and making them believe that all their dreams can be fulfilled there. Hats off to them. Their whole school and organization is awesome."
The two still keep in touch. McMillan said when he was choosing a college, the type of relationship he would have with those he met during the process was a factor.
"That's one of the biggest things I looked at, whether or not me and the guy are still going to be cordial," McMillan said. "If I make a decision for another school and you're still consistently checking up on me, that means you were meaningful when I was going through the process and getting to know you and everything I was thinking about you was true. Coach Scott, just an incredible guy."
Watson, of Gainesville (Ga.) High School, committed to Clemson as a sophomore. He said Ohio State was his second choice, followed by Auburn.
"I grew up an Urban Meyer fan. I always wanted to play for him," Watson said. "I loved the way he coached, loved the way he did things. I was a big Tim Tebow fan. I used to always tell my mom, 'I'm going to Florida. I'm going to play for Urban Meyer and be like Tim Tebow.'
"But (Clemson coach Dabo) Swinney and (now SMU) coach (Chad) Morris came around and I fell in love with those guys and the university and everything Clemson brought for me."
Watson said his Ohio State visit was canceled because he was competing in a high school basketball championship. But Meyer came to Watson's home.
"Just being able to meet him ... but I was already committed to Clemson and I was going to stay true to my word," Watson said.
As for competing against McMillan, Watson said, "He's a first-round pick, one of the top linebackers in the country. He's my boy, grew up in the same state, recruited together, I was close to getting him to Clemson. He's a great guy. I can't wait to compete with him and hopefully get the 'W' so I can brag on him."
