by Lee Brecheen
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| Khristopher Watkins |
August 12, 2011 - Jennings High School in 2010 had one of the most explosive running games in the state of Louisiana led by Bryson Abraham who signed with Louisiana Tech as an athlete this past 2011 recruiting class. Jennings had over 3,000 yards rushing among three running backs total as an offense in 2010.
The sleeper recruit coming back for Jennings High School in 2011 is Khristopher Watkins (6-2, 215) who is the leading receiver for a team that was a running offense. We filmed this kid in 2010, and he’s so impressive being that he was 6-2, 210 in 2010 and could catch regular 10 yard outs and turn them into to a 40 yard play downfield. This kid Ladies and Gentleman can stretch a defense at any given time with his 4.55 speed in the 40 yard dash. Watkins will line up as a Tight End or as a Wide Receiver and you would not know he’s 215 pounds by the way he runs in the open field. Most college coaches are trying to figure out how to recruit him - Tight End or Wide Receiver.
When you look at this kid you take him as an Athlete for your offense, because it’s not every day you see a Shannon Sharpe type of player in high school that is built like a small Tight End but runs a like a fast Wide Receiver. I think a great example would be comparing him to a slightly shorter version of a DeAngelo Peterson currently at LSU, who I had the pleasure of filming for three years at Desire Street Academy which is no longer in existence. DeAngelo was 6-3, 210 pounds as a senior in high school, and he ran a 4.55/40. He has now blossomed into one of the most athletic Tight Ends in the United States at 6-4, 240 pounds running a 4.6 forty. I see a lot of the same skills in Watkins that I saw in Peterson. Watkins is just a 2 inches shorter, but he’s the same type of athletic player.
There was a play in 2010 that I saw on film that said it all for me about this kid. I saw him catch a pass over the middle in stride and split the CB and Safety then out run everyone for a 70 yard pass to the end zone. His hands are very good, and his feet are smooth when he runs after the catch. Take into account his team did not throw the ball much, and when they did they looked for Watkins in many third down plays to convert which he did.
If whoever signs this kid plays him where he can be effective Slot back/Tight End/Wide Receiver in the right offense, he could be a night mare match up problem for many defenses.
Be sure to read more about Jennings High School and Watkins by purchasing your copy of the 2011 Louisiana Football Magazine Preview which is hot off the press and ready for shipping at www.lafootballmagazine.com/store.
I hope you enjoy the interview below with Mark Clements
Interview by Mark Clements
LAFM: For starters, what’s your current height, weight and forty time?
KW: My current height, I’m 6’2” and I weigh 215. I run a 4.5.
LAFM: Are you originally from Louisiana?
KW: Yes I am. I grew up in Jennings.
LAFM: Which teams did you root for growing up?
KW: LSU, Louisiana Tech, Grambling, Southern – all the local ones.
LAFM: When did you first start playing football?
KW: I started playing football for the school in 9th grade. I didn’t really get too much time to play football in junior high. I lived in Toledo, Ohio for a while. I was there for about five years and then I came back almost the end of my 8th grade year.
LAFM: Has it always been a big part of your family? Have you had any family members who played football in the past?
KW: Yeah, just about everybody. If not football, then they played basketball. It was always an athletic family. My dad played football, he played defensive end. A lot of my family members played college and there were some that were All-American.
LAFM: Do you play any other sports?
KW: I run track.
LAFM: What events do you run in track?
KW: The 200 and the 400. I did summer track, I didn’t run for the school this year just because I was busy training. So, I’m going to get on the track and hopefully get some good times.
LAFM: We have you listed as a wide receiver, do you play any other positions?
KW: I play tight end and I play receiver. On defense I play defensive end. We started practicing and I’m going to be playing running back for a little while.
LAFM: Which position do you think is your strongest and where do you see yourself playing at the next level?
KW: I could play linebacker, I know I could be good at linebacker. And I could see myself running the ball some too.
LAFM: Is there anyone in college or the Pros that you look up to or try to model your game after?
KW: A tight end named Vernon Davis. He’s pretty good. I’ve been looking up some stuff on him and I’m trying to be more like him. A lot of schools like big tight ends and stuff and he’s not too big. He’s probably the best in the NFL right now and he runs a fast forty. I look up to him.
LAFM: What do you think is your biggest strength as a player and what part of your game are you trying to improve upon most next year?
KW: My biggest strength would have to be that I’m big and I can run and I’m strong. My running could get better. My speed could get better – probably a low 4.4 would be good, but I’m willing to improve in any aspect.
LAFM: Have you been to any camps at this point? If so, which ones?
KW: I’ve been to a ULL camp, LSU camp, I went to a TCU camp, I went to a Northwestern camp and a national underclassmen combine. It was in Lafayette
LAFM: Have you heard from any colleges or received any offers?
KW: I’ve heard from just about every college in Louisiana except for LSU. The only reason I think I haven’t heard from them is because they’re up more for size and not athleticism. And I’ve heard for TCU, Mississippi State, Southern Miss and Central Arkansas.
LAFM: Which schools stick out right now at the top of your list?
KW: TCU, Louisiana Tech and Mississippi State.
LAFM: Have you thought about what you might want to study in college?
KW: Music
LAFM: Do you play any instruments?
KW: I play the piano and I’m still taking lessons.
LAFM: What are some goals you’ve set for next season, for yourself and for the team?
KW: I want to go to the Dome. I know it’s every team’s goal, but I want it real bad. It’s my last year so I want to give it all or nothing. I’ll try to get at least 20 touchdowns and if I could rush for 1,000 that’d be a plus.
LAFM: Which school is your favorite to play against, or which game gets you the most fired up each year?
KW: Against Notre Dame because we never beat them. We could have a good season and everything, but Notre Dame is ranked high and they’re cocky. So, if we beat them it’s a plus for us.
LAFM: What are some of the most memorable games or plays you’ve been a part of?
KW: Probably against Washington Marion last year. It was a big game for me. They had the ball and they were only a touchdown away from beating us. I think we were up two or so and it was their last game. They weren’t going to the playoffs either way so they had nothing to lose. They had the ball and I was playing defensive end. He ran the ball and he ran it to the right. I waited on my side and I was containing and he came back my way. When he tried to throw it I grabbed the ball and I grabbed his arm and I threw him on the ground and I made him fumble. It was a pretty good game.
LAFM: And lastly can you give us your current GPA and ACT score?
KW: I have a 3.0 and I’m headed to take the ACT in September.
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