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Watkins Fact: Has totaled at least five tackles in every game during the pass two seasons.
Years Lettered: 2004,05,06
Years Starter: 2005,06
Bowl Participation: Starting linebacker in the 2005 Champs Sports Bowl against Colorado; starting linebacker in the 2006 Music City Bowl against Kentucky.
Fall 2007 Depth Chart Position: First-team weakside linebacker
Overview: Returning starter and leading tackler from the 2006 season...a big reason Clemson has been in the top 25 in the nation in total defense and scoring defense each of the last two years...2006 winner of the Solid Rock Award among inside linebackers by the Clemson coaches...model of consistency; he has totaled at least five tackles in every game the last two seasons, a streak of 25 games...has started each of Clemson's last 25 games...has not missed a game during his career; he has played 36 in a row...has 268 tackles in his career, more than any other active Tiger, and four interceptions...a starting linebacker in 2005 when he played 618 snaps and totaled 99 tackles, second-most on the team...his deceased brother David was a member of the 1996 Louisiana State football team.
2006: Clemson's leading tackler (116)...had 78 first hits to lead the team...had much to do with Clemson's top-25 national finish in four major defensive categories...had three interceptions, tied for the team-lead; quite an accomplishment for a linebacker; it was the most interceptions by a Tiger linebacker since in 2003; his three thefts included a 26-yard return for a score against Louisiana Tech...had five double-figure tackle games...had a team-tying-season-high 17 tackles against N.C. State and was named ACC Defensive Lineman-of-the-Week...had 10 tackles against South Carolina...a big key to Clemson's win at #9 Florida State when he had 11 stops...had 10 tackles at Wake Forest...11th in the ACC in tackles per game...defensive player-of-the-game against Louisiana Tech and N.C. State according to the Clemson coaches.
2005: Starting linebacker who had 99 tackles, second-most on the team...tied for the team lead in tackles (8) against Colorado...team's top special teams player by the coaches...had 13 tackles at Maryland; named ACC Specialist-of-the-Week when he had five special teams tackles; it happened soon after Hurricane Katrina ravaged his hometown of New Orleans...team's top special teams tackler (11)...defensive player-of-the-game by the coaches at Georgia Tech; he had 14 tackles, including 10 first hits...had at least six tackles in every game, the only Tiger to do so...had nine tackles at #19 South Carolina...had six tackles along with a sack against #16 Florida State...played 618 snaps on the season...had a team-high 14 tackles at Georgia Tech to tie for the high total by a Tiger all year...had six tackles against #17 Texas A&M, but tied for the team lead...played at least 43 snaps in every game.
2004: Had 53 tackles, including 40 first hits...had at least one tackle in every game...received defensive rookie-of-the-year honors by the Tiger coaches...had a season-high eight stops in the win over Maryland; he also had two tackles for loss...seventh on the team in tackles (53), but it was the high total for a non-starter; his seven tackles for loss were also the high figure for a non-starter...had 10 of his 53 tackles on special teams; he tied for the team lead in special teams tackles...averaged a tackle every 6.04 snaps, best on the team.
2003: Red-shirted.
Before Clemson: Three-year starter at linebacker and team captain as a senior at Edna Karr Magnet School...all-district in 2001,02...All-Westbank New Orleans from 2000-02...All-Metro New Orleans in 2002...2002 Orleans/Jefferson Parish All-Star Game player who earned defensive MVP honors...coached by Don Wattigny...chose Clemson over Michigan State, Mississippi, Oklahoma State, and Tulane...born Oct. 8, 1985...majoring in community recreation management.
