"I am working on my coverages right now,"
added Eric Watts. I am moving to safety. I am working on my footwork. I want to
have DB speed with LB ability."
One of Eric's main strengths should
help him in this area.
"My biggest strength is my ability to read
defenses. I can read defenses really well."
The 6' 0", 205 pound
Samuel W. Wolfson (Class 4A) product has been starting at his high school since
the first game of his freshman season.
That was one of my biggest goals
when I got here. I wanted to start every game and never miss a game. So far, so
good."
The Jacksonville (FL) native had this to say about his game.
"I
am an aggressive but laid back player. I can be very aggressive when I need to
be, but I can be patient when I need to."
Spring practice starts on
May 1st, but a few colleges have already sent over their recruiters to his school.
"This
week I spoke to Ole Miss, South Florida, and Illinois. Illinois actually gave
me a verbal offer. All three of those colleges came by my school this week to
talk to me. Florida and FSU said they liked me but they need to see a little more
before they offer. They said an offer is coming and do not commit to anyone until
they do."
Any phone calls?
"I got a call from Illinois
but I got a lot of the coach's numbers that I keep in contact with. They come
to the school and leave their number and tell me to call them so they do not waste
their one phone call yet."
Which colleges does Eric call on his own?
"I
call Ole Miss, South Florida, Florida State, and Illinois mostly."
What
does Eric know about Ole Miss?
"So far, I know their defense is pretty
good. I have been studying their defensive schemes and they let their LB's make
the plays. It is really geared towards their LB's. They make a lot of plays. It
is not just an offensive school. It has a great history of athletes receiving
their degrees. They just do not get there and drop out. I looked that up on the
NCAA website. I also saw where their athletes receive a lot of individual help
for each one of their classes."
Which coach has Watts been speaking
to from Ole Miss?
"Coach Chris Vaughn. He is really easy to talk to.
We started off on the right foot. He really likes me, and I like him too. When
he saw my film, he saw me playing LB. He told me that he needs to see me play
some safety before he takes it to his defensive coordinator to get approval for
a scholarship offer."
Eric talks about his relationship with South
Florida
"When I spoke to Coach Douglas, he said they liked me and
liked my style of play. He said I would fit in well with their school and he told
me to keep in contact with him because they really want me."
And Illinois?
"I
have a very strong relationship with them. A lot of people from Jacksonville go
to their school. Coach Dan Fish, my recruiting coordinator, is from this area.
He said that they really look forward to me playing OLB for them. He said the
way I am playing, I will play as a freshman up there. I will not be redshirting
or anything like that if I go to school there."
There just happens
to be an instate school that holds the lead for Eric.
"FSU is my number
one team. I like their scheme. Coaches Mickey Andrew and Jimbo Fisher, I grew
up watching them. That was my childhood dream to play for FSU. They are my number
one choice."
Watts is also receiving heavy consideration from several
more colleges.
"Clemson, Purdue, and West Virginia also came by the
school to eye ball me. I also receive around 50 letters a day, but I take that
with a grain of salt because I know everyone else does too. I am really concentrating
on the schools who have offered me or are getting close. But I get a lot of letters
from Auburn, Arizona State, Indiana, Cinci, Louisville, UConn, Duke is really
interested in me. Arkansas, Georgia Tech, Mississippi State, and Iowa. I get a
lot of letters from all of those schools."
Has Eric made any decisions
on the camps he will be attending?
"I am pretty sure I am going to
Florida's and FSU's camps. I am looking forward to going to some camps that are
real far from home, like Illinois', Ole Miss, and Iowa's."
When it
does come decision time; what will be the main factors?
"First of
all, the distance from home. I do not to go too far from home. And the temperature,
I do not want to go where it is freezing. I will look at the graduation rate and
what type of Business Management program they have. Those will be the biggest
factors for me."
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