Post by 50yardfan on Feb 2, 2011 16:14:45 GMT -5
Clemson Tigers' Watkins Inked by Harrisburg Stampede
HARRISBURG, PA (February 2, 2011) - Nick Watkins, who twice led the Clemson Tigers in tackles and amassed nearly 400 tackles in his four seasons with the Atlantic Coast Conference university, has signed with the Harrisburg Stampede for the 2011 season.
"We are really excited about Nick. He has nice size along with speed, strength and mobility. Those are really nice attributes to have at LB for the indoor game. Being a D1 kid from the historic ACC, the football history that comes out of South Carolina, along with his major bowl appearances, make the Stampede very excited to get Nick to Harrisburg," said Stampede General Manager and Head Coach Bernie Nowotarski.
A three-year starter and standout at Edna Karr Magnet School of New Orleans, Watson was named All-District in 2001 and 2002, All-Westbank New Orleans from 2000 through 2002, and All-Metro New Orleans in 2002.
Following the 2002 season he was named to the Orleans/Jefferson Parish All-Star Game and earned Defensive MVP honors. Following high school he was courted by Michigan State, Mississippi, Oklahoma State, and Tulane, but chose Clemson
After a redshirt season in 2003 Watson became a crucial part of the Tigers' defense in 2004 racking up 53 tackles and received Defensive Rookie of the Year honors from the Clemson coaches. In 2005 he started all 12 games at linebacker and tallied 99 tackles; second-most on the team.
He had several outstanding games against top competition. He totaled 13 tackles against Maryland and was named ACC Specialist-of-the-Week. He had 11 special team tackles and was named Defensive Player of the Game at Georgia Teach, had nine tackles at #19 South Carolina, six tackles and a sack against #16 Florida State, and had six tackles against #17 Texas A&M.
Following the season he earned the start at linebacker in the Champs Sports Bowl against Colorado.
As a junior in 2006 he continued to make his presence felt leading the Tigers in tackles with 116. He also had seven tackles for a loss, three forced fumbles, and three interceptions. He had a team tying season-high 17 tackles against N.C. State and was named ACC Defensive Lineman of the Week.
He also played a key part in the Tigers upset over #9 Florida State with 11 defensive stops. He also started his second straight bowl game suiting up against Kentucky in the Music City Bowl.
In his senior season in 2007 he again led Clemson in tackles, this time with a career high 118. He also had three tackles for a loss, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and a sack. He notched double digit tackles against Florida State (13), Louisiana-Monroe (10), Georgia Tech (12), Virginia Tech (11), Wake Forest (15), and Boston College (11).
In his four seasons at Clemson Watkins totaled 386 tackles, 22 tackles for a loss, six forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries, three sacks, and four interceptions.
For information on 2011 Harrisburg Stampede please visit www.harrisburgstampede.com.
HARRISBURG, PA (February 2, 2011) - Nick Watkins, who twice led the Clemson Tigers in tackles and amassed nearly 400 tackles in his four seasons with the Atlantic Coast Conference university, has signed with the Harrisburg Stampede for the 2011 season.
"We are really excited about Nick. He has nice size along with speed, strength and mobility. Those are really nice attributes to have at LB for the indoor game. Being a D1 kid from the historic ACC, the football history that comes out of South Carolina, along with his major bowl appearances, make the Stampede very excited to get Nick to Harrisburg," said Stampede General Manager and Head Coach Bernie Nowotarski.
A three-year starter and standout at Edna Karr Magnet School of New Orleans, Watson was named All-District in 2001 and 2002, All-Westbank New Orleans from 2000 through 2002, and All-Metro New Orleans in 2002.
Following the 2002 season he was named to the Orleans/Jefferson Parish All-Star Game and earned Defensive MVP honors. Following high school he was courted by Michigan State, Mississippi, Oklahoma State, and Tulane, but chose Clemson
After a redshirt season in 2003 Watson became a crucial part of the Tigers' defense in 2004 racking up 53 tackles and received Defensive Rookie of the Year honors from the Clemson coaches. In 2005 he started all 12 games at linebacker and tallied 99 tackles; second-most on the team.
He had several outstanding games against top competition. He totaled 13 tackles against Maryland and was named ACC Specialist-of-the-Week. He had 11 special team tackles and was named Defensive Player of the Game at Georgia Teach, had nine tackles at #19 South Carolina, six tackles and a sack against #16 Florida State, and had six tackles against #17 Texas A&M.
Following the season he earned the start at linebacker in the Champs Sports Bowl against Colorado.
As a junior in 2006 he continued to make his presence felt leading the Tigers in tackles with 116. He also had seven tackles for a loss, three forced fumbles, and three interceptions. He had a team tying season-high 17 tackles against N.C. State and was named ACC Defensive Lineman of the Week.
He also played a key part in the Tigers upset over #9 Florida State with 11 defensive stops. He also started his second straight bowl game suiting up against Kentucky in the Music City Bowl.
In his senior season in 2007 he again led Clemson in tackles, this time with a career high 118. He also had three tackles for a loss, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and a sack. He notched double digit tackles against Florida State (13), Louisiana-Monroe (10), Georgia Tech (12), Virginia Tech (11), Wake Forest (15), and Boston College (11).
In his four seasons at Clemson Watkins totaled 386 tackles, 22 tackles for a loss, six forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries, three sacks, and four interceptions.
For information on 2011 Harrisburg Stampede please visit www.harrisburgstampede.com.