TAMPA, Fla. — The fresh-faced Brandon Streeter looks much like he must have in the late 1990s, when he was Clemson’s quarterback. He started in 1998 and 1999. Clemson went 9-14.
Things are different now. Streeter is middle-aged, with children and a house and a career. He is no longer Clemson’s quarterback, but its quarterbacks coach. He joined the staff two years ago, and since coming aboard has whispered in the ear of the Tigers’ two-time Heisman Trophy finalist, Deshaun Watson.
In those two years, Clemson has gone 28-2. After beating Alabama on Monday night, 35-31, in a rematch of last year’s title game, the Tigers are national champions for the first time in 35 years.