Nov. 7, 2002
by Wes Durham – Every Tech fan of the last decade knows where they were when current redshirt senior Kerry Watkins caught George Godsey’s 18-yard touchdown pass to beat Clemson at Memorial Stadium in late October of 2000. For Watkins, it’s his highlight as a Yellow Jacket so far.
But now in the last lap of his career, Watkins has proved over the long term, that he was more than just a one-catch wonder.
His start in Atlanta was delayed a fall when he was redshirted. Watkins thought he would be in the mix as a true freshman. After all, he had signed on with Tech instead of Miami, Michigan and other high profile schools. He was considered by many who follow Tech’s recruiting the turning point signee in the level of talent from outside the state the Jackets were bringing to Atlanta.
“I was the only redshirt that travelled to all the games. I was supposed to come in and contribute, but the holdback was that I couldn’t pick up the system in time for the season,” Watkins admitted.
While Watkins has been a fixture in Tech’s receiving game since taking the field in 1999, his value this fall has been more than just catching passes. More than once, Jacket head coach Chan Gailey has pointed to his leadership and his ability to do anything that will help the team win. “I know players and the younger guys look up to me. It all started in the off-season after the bowl game. I was focused knowing what I had to do to get better and improve our team. But at the same time, you can’t be doing that and missing things and not being where you are supposed to be,” Watkins said last week.
With his leadership off the field established, Watkins has continued to be one of the top receivers in the ACC and in certain national circles as well.
Watkins has held up his end of the deal for the Jackets, averaging almost six catches a game during the year, but over seven against conference opponents. In the process, he has also moved up the career receiving charts in several categories. He has a shot at the mark for career touchdown receptions (24, Kelly Campbell, 1998-01, Watkins has 21), while already second in receiving yards and closing in on No. 2 in receptions (165, Harvey Middleton, 1994-97, Watkins has 150).
This fall, the durable Louisiana native has also shown what he can do on special teams. His kickoff return average could end up in Tech’s top ten for a career.
Just don’t tell Watkins.
“I have no earthly idea what records I’m approaching or what the stats are. I haven’t seen a paper since August, so the only way I know is when someone tells me.”
Offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien will acknowledge that Watkins has only been the “feature receiver” for a single season in his four year career. As a redshirt freshman (1999) it was Dez White. The last two years it was Kelly Campbell. Now in the spotlight for his final campaign, Watkins has been not only a solid performer but a key leader for the Jackets.
Fans will recall that Watkins almost left the football team a couple years ago prior to the 2000 season and eventually returned from LaPlace (pronounced La-Plass) to rejoin the Jackets. Tech fans are glad he did, and so is Watkins, who encountered the ebb and flow of a season that very fall he returned.
People remember the grab against the Tigers, but only the ardent fan remembers the overtime drop at NC State, earlier that season.
Each of his four campaigns has been different for Watkins and the Jackets. This fall, the season has been marked by injuries, but Watkins says you still have to make it a team game.
“Injuries have played a role in it because we lost a lot of key players early. That kind of hurt us, but at the same time, everybody has stuck together to play their role and fulfill their responsibility,” Watkins said.
His ability to bounce back, stand up and be accountable has earned Watkins respect from his teammates and Yellow Jacket fans. That’s why Watkins has been much more to Tech than just an off-balance, one-hand catch.
