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Commitment Spotlight: Justin Watkins (By Will Baizer)

Daniel Seahorn

On the 40
Joined
Oct 15, 2015
Messages
8,458
[SIZE=12pt]The former Florida State commit had been very vocal about his feelings for Texas ever since they offered him back on January 20th. The Vanguard (FL) WR is one of the top players in the state of Florida and rated by some as the top athlete in the country. Justin Watkins was also so impressive at The Opening Regional in Orlando that he landed an invite to Oregon a week ago. This isn’t his first commitment since he blew up back in February of 2015, but it is a big one for the Longhorns as they land their first top tier talent of the 2018 class.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]Film Analysis[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]When Justin Watkins steps on the field, it’s just unfair what he does to the opposition. The 5’11” 170lbs athlete from central Florida has it all, speed, acceleration, vision, elusiveness, footwork, and hands. He runs a verified 4.46 forty and seems that speed translate to the field. He’s able to stop on a dime, change direction, and start again at full speed.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]In high school, he has shown off his versatility playing as a RB, slot WR, and outside WR. As a WR he has the speed to take the top off a defense, the hands to make catches over the top or over the middle, the burst to be the guy you throw the screen to, and the raw athleticism to make crazy diving catches. At RB Watkins has displayed great vision, remarkable burst, and elusiveness at the line and beyond. His film reminds me of Tavon Austin’s film from 2008, and that’s a good thing since Texas likes him at slot.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]On top of all this, Watkins is a ridiculously dangerous returner. He makes so many “wow” plays that it’s just hard to nail down what exactly his strengths are besides most things. Like I said above, it’s unfair what he does to others on the field because he has so much more raw talent than everyone else.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]Final Verdict[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]While this is a huge win for Texas, his recruitment isn’t over. This is his third school he’s been committed to in three years. Longhorns will have to continue aggressively recruiting him as if there was just a slim chance he might be a Longhorn. But once they get this talent on campus, Watkins has the ceiling to become one of the best WRs to come through Texas.[/SIZE]

 
I was skeptical of the buzz for Texas around Watkins initially, but here we are. Big time pickup for Tom Herman and his staff, but they will no doubt have to stay on him hard.

 
Color me guardedly optimistic considering we are now his 3rd school to commit to but certainly a high profile guy to start some buzz.

Is he an early enrollee?

 
Watkins on what made him pull the trigger: "The way coach plans on using me in this offense and getting the ball in my hands."

"I feel like this is the best fit for me and that I will stand out here".

 
Ha! He needs to work on that Hook Em Horns form. Set up a tutor meeting with Mathew McCon.

 
My biggest concern is for him to pull the trigger so quickly. They need to continue recruiting him as if he never committed to us

 
I have a funny feeling Justin Watkins will be for Texas like Jordan Elliott was for Michigan

 
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