Kentucky commit Lincoln Watkins
There’s a lot to like about Kentucky tight end commit Lincoln Watkins of Port Huron, Michigan.
The 6-5, 240-pound is a four-star player who had offers from over 30 schools including Florida, Oregon, Penn State, Arizona State, Miami, Missouri, Boston College, Nebraska, Louisville, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, North Carolina State, Maryland, Pittsburgh, Purdue, Wisconsin and others.
Not only does he play tight end, but he also plays outside linebacker. He’s a starter on the basketball team with four players ranked as top 50 players in Michigan and in track competes in shot put, discus, long jump and the 4×100 relay. Obviously, his athleticism is a given.
He had 39 catches for 668 yards last season, ran 39 times for another 245 yards and scored 17 touchdowns on his 78 touches. On defense, he had 42 total tackles.
However, the statistic that jumps out to me — and I know my WLAP Sunday Morning Sports Talk co-host Anthony White will love — is that 72 of his 78 touches resulted in a first down for his team.
White, an all-SEC running back for coach Hal Mumme at UK, always talks about the need to “move the chains” and pick up first downs as perhaps the most critical tool for any offense. Watkins obviously knows how to do that.
“That (first down stat) was something that was actually brought to my attention about always through the season. I had never realized my first down efficiency was so high until my uncle was at a game midway through our season and told me we got a first down every time I touched the ball,” Watkins told me Thursday.
“I looked back and saw he was right. I went back and watched all my games from last season. Two of the times I didn’t get a first down were only a yard short.”
He knows Kentucky offensive coordinator Bush Hamdan and tight ends coach Derek Shay would love to see the same efficiency in the UK offense.
“To me, that (getting first downs) is the most impressive thing you can do. I take pride in that,” Watkins said. “I don’t worry about the total yards. I just want to be dependable and get first downs.”
10 Responses
An outstanding versatile athlete, a winner every time he touches the ball.
If only UK had a real HC & a real OC l,
Watkins could help move the chains & put points on the board.
A TE @ UK is a lock to block, and some games may never have the ball thrown to him.
I feel sorry for this multi-talented player to be trapped in an offense that does not know it’s beneficial to pass to the TE !!! Was he forewarned that Stoops & Bush should be fired. Maybe he’s counting on that. I am and so are many in the BBN who are disgusted with the continual slide after getting 10 wins with Coen as the OC. Coen probably did it listen to Stoops’ bad advice and demands concerning offense.
Great athlete if UK can keep him committed. My main point about UK football under Stoops is Coach fired the best OC he ever had in Shannon Dawson. I would take him over Coen any day. Then when Sou Miss faced UK the following year, and with Dawson as their OC, UK lost. That was poetic justice for SD. Look what Dawson is doing at Miami now. Stoops has his work cut out for him in 2025. Hope this staff can perform miracles and prop up their head coach and save a sinking ship. I would like to see UK trounce Louisville, but I doubt it will happen. A victory in Louisville would go a long way in shutting Marrow's mouth and big talk these days as he struts around in Cardinal red. Marrow hurt UK big time, and most UK fans down deep will never forgive his leaving for the Cardinals, of all places. Shades of Pitino all over. a victory would also probably save Stoops' job. On another front, Louisville owns in state football recruiting now for sure. Loosing Strickland had to hurt. The Kentucky football schedule in 2025 is as tough as I have ever seen. I don't think the Cats will have a winning season in 25, hope I'm wrong. I think it will be a blood bath.
Remember this day! We will go bowling I guarantee it!
Terry I like your positive vibe, I think they will surprise lot of people as well.
I hope you’re right. Just can’t shake the 4-8 season with what Stoops called the “best group of players” or something similar. After a few games, the direction of this team will be fairly evident.
All interesting and valid points. 👍
Larry is talking about a great TE that has committed to the Cats over some great programs and we have a WHINER wanting to know if he was warned not to come. What a Pathetic "fan".
My own cheerleader – must really like my comments to keep reading them.
This kid is the real deal. I think he's a little farther along than Rodriguez was last year for Kentucky. Which could lead to early playing time. This kid is a winner and I love the recruits we've been getting. I actually strongly approve all of the commits this year. Our tight end room should be very good for the next couple of years. With Rodriguez, Skinner, Brown, and Watkins that's 4 great young tight ends. Skinner and Watkins are both lethal weapons as pass catchers. This guy is my new favorite tight end. I can see I'm being a NFL prospect by his 3rd year in college. Although I see him playing 4 years.
I'm giving Kentucky football a clean slate. There is one thing that will set me off and refuse to watch if this happens… If Boley Ponatoski and Saunders get recruited over after this year it will be Stoops final nail in the coffin. He has to let a QB have 2-3 years to be the starter. This is why we always struggle. We have to start over every year. If its not a offensive coordinator then its a QB or both. We need to have a decent year to get the 2024 recruits to stay for 2026. I think we have a great 2-3 year run with the 2024 and 2025 recruits if we can get them to stay. I think this year we have a shot at a great season. We don't have Walker already talking about the NFL and all the hype we usually have. This is historically when Kentucky proves everyone wrong. I'm rooting for Stoops but this is his last chance to make something happen. Its now or never! Put up or shut up!