Austin Watkins
Wide Receiver / UAB

Alex Khvatov:  What are your measurements (height, weight and forty time)?

Austin Watkins:  6’3, 210 and low 4.4.      

Alex Khvatov:  How are you currently preparing for the 2020 season with no offseason training?

Austin Watkins:  I was working out in Florida with Sammy (Watkins).  Now I am back in Alabama doing weight training.  I run a mile or two a day.  I also run my routes in front of my apartment.    

Alex Khvatov:  Besides football, what other sports did you play in high school?

Austin Watkins:  I played basketball since my freshman year.  I played football for one year in high school.  It was only my senior year.      

Alex Khvatov:  What positions did you play in high school? 

Austin Watkins:  I played receiver, DB and DE.    

Alex Khvatov:  Coming out of high school, what programs showed interest in you?

Austin Watkins:  I met a receiver coach at a Florida Gators camp in the summer before the season.  He offered me to go to Dodge City community college.  He took a shot on me.    

Alex Khvatov:  How did you wind up at JUCO?

Austin Watkins:  Dodge City in Kansas was my only option.  I spent two years at JUCO.      

Alex Khvatov:  Why did you decide to transfer to UAB? 

Austin Watkins:  I went to UAB camp.  15 minutes into the camp, UAB offered me.  I committed on the spot.  I had some other schools.  Southern Miss, Akron, Bowling Green and Marshall.  UAB felt like a good atmosphere.  It felt like home. 

Alex Khvatov:  Tell us about your junior season with the Blazers.    

Austin Watkins:  It was a good season.  I showed a little glimpse of what I can do. 

Alex Khvatov:  What are your individual expectations for your senior year? 

Austin Watkins:  I expect a big season.  I am bigger, faster and smarter. 

Alex Khvatov:  What are your strengths?

Austin Watkins:  I bring speed, size, physicality and route running.  I am a bigger guy, who can run every route.  I have been playing WR all of my life.    

Alex Khvatov:  What areas of your game are you trying to improve upon?

Austin Watkins:  Probably just knowing how to dominate the game more.  There are some games I am dominant in and there are others where I will only have a couple of catches.  I need to be more consistent every week. 

Alex Khvatov:  What is the highlight of your career up to this point?

Austin Watkins:  There are two highlights for me.  My Old Dominion game because it showed what I could do.  Scoring my first TD against Akron.   

Alex Khvatov:  What is the biggest lesson that you have taken away from your coaching staff? 

Austin Watkins:  Probably maturity.  I was still young when I came to UAB.  I bought in and grew this past year.  It is all about getting better every day.   

Alex Khvatov:  What advice has your cousin WR Sammy Watkins given you about the NFL?  

Austin Watkins:  He told me that it is all on you.  You have to be a grown up in the NFL.  Coaches will put you in position to perform.  You have to be hungry.  Get there and know what to do.    

Alex Khvatov:  Who is your favorite NFL player?

Austin Watkins:  Michael Thomas, Julio Jones, Sammy Watkins, Mike Evans, Stefon Diggs, Amari Cooper and DeAndre Hopkins.  I like to watch all of those guys. 

Alex Khvatov:  Who do you model your game after?

Austin Watkins:  Julio Jones and Michael Thomas.    

Alex Khvatov:  What players on your team should we keep an eye on for this upcoming season?

Austin Watkins:  RB Spencer Brown, WR Myron Mitchel, CB TD Marshall, RB Lucious Stanley, CB Brontae Harris, QB Tyler Johnston, DL Jordan Smith and LB Kris Moll.   

Alex Khvatov:  Who is the best player that you have faced on an opposing team?

Austin Watkins:  Tennessee DE (Darrell Taylor) was a big guy.  He was one of the most dominant players that I have seen.    

Alex Khvatov:  What is the most important trait for a WR?

Austin Watkins:  Catch the ball.    

Alex Khvatov:  What do you enjoy most about football?

Austin Watkins:  The enjoyment I get from the process.  I have fun with it.    

Alex Khvatov:  What can we expect from UAB this upcoming season? 

Austin Watkins:  We want to get back in a championship game again.  The plan is to go undefeated.   

Alex Khvatov:  What are your hobbies?

Austin Watkins:  I like to watch movies, chilling with friends and bowling.    

Alex Khvatov:  What do you want to do with your life after your football career is over?

Austin Watkins:  I want to become a broadcaster in sports.  A commentator like Michael Irvin and sports personality like Stephen A. Smith.    

Alex Khvatov:  What five words best describe you?

Austin Watkins:  Goofy, determined, selfless, funny, and hard worker.