Jordan Watkins (born February 15, 2002) is an American football wide receiver for the Ole Miss Rebels. He previously played for the Louisville Cardinals.

Jordan Watkins
Ole Miss Rebels – No. 11
PositionWide receiver
ClassSenior
MajorMulti-Disciplinary Studies
Personal information
Born: (2002-02-15) February 15, 2002 (age 22)
Height5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
Weight200 lb (91 kg)
Career history
CollegeLouisville (2020–2021)
Ole Miss (2022–present)
Bowl games
High schoolButler Traditional
(Louisville, Kentucky)

Early life

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Watkins was born on February 15, 2002, and grew up in Louisville, Kentucky.[1] He attended Butler Traditional High School in Louisville where he played football as a wide receiver, recording 34 receptions for 679 yards and seven touchdowns as a junior[2] and then 37 receptions for 712 yards and seven touchdowns as a senior.[3] Although initially committed to play college football for the Kentucky Wildcats, Watkins, a three-star recruit, later changed his commitment to the Louisville Cardinals.[2][4]

College career

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Louisville

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Watkins saw limited playing time as a freshman at Louisville in 2020, recording eight receptions for 57 yards.[1][5] In 2021, he placed second on the team with 35 catches for 529 yards and four touchdowns.[6] He entered the NCAA transfer portal following the season.[6]

Ole Miss

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Watkins ended up transferring to the Ole Miss Rebels for the 2022 season.[7] In his first year there, he started 10 games and caught 40 passes for 449 yards and two touchdowns.[8] In 2023, he caught 53 passes for 741 yards and three touchdowns, earning honorable mention All-Southeastern Conference (SEC) honors from College Football Network.[1][9] He announced a return for a final season in 2024, rather than declaring for the 2024 NFL draft.[9]

During a game against the Arkansas Razorbacks on November 2, 2024, Watkins caught eight passes for 254 yards and five touchdowns, setting the Ole Miss single-game records for receiving yards and receiving touchdowns, even though he had never before had a multi-touchdown game.[10][11]

Personal life

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Watkins has a daughter who was born in October 2024.[11]

References

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  1. ^ a b c "Jordan Watkins". Ole Miss Rebels.
  2. ^ a b Robinson, Cameron Teague (October 29, 2019). "Three-star Butler receiver Jordan Watkins commits to Louisville football". The Courier-Journal.
  3. ^ McCammon, Michael (June 3, 2020). "Louisville's Jordan Watkins ready to make move to campus". 247Sports.
  4. ^ Hale, Jon (October 10, 2019). "After visiting Louisville, Butler star Jordan Watkins decommits from Kentucky football". The Courier-Journal.
  5. ^ "Louisville football: Jordan Watkins motivated by early success". The Courier-Journal. November 27, 2020.
  6. ^ a b McGavic, Matthew (November 30, 2021). "Louisville WR Jordan Watkins Enters Transfer Portal". Sports Illustrated.
  7. ^ "Louisville WR transfer Jordan Watkins commits to Ole Miss. Here's what it means". Clarion-Ledger. December 22, 2021.
  8. ^ Komis, Tyler (August 4, 2023). "Veteran wide receiver Jordan Watkins waited patiently but now it's his 'time'". 247Sports.
  9. ^ a b Eckert, David (December 9, 2023). "Ole Miss football receiver Jordan Watkins announces intent to return for 2024 season". Clarion-Ledger.
  10. ^ Cobb, David (November 2, 2024). "Jaxson Dart, Jordan Watkins set Ole Miss records, crush Arkansas to stay in College Football Playoff hunt". CBS Sports.
  11. ^ a b Hutchens, Sam (November 2, 2024). "How fatherhood gave Ole Miss football receiver Jordan Watkins perspective for record day". Clarion-Ledger.
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