Jason Watkins - Follow the Leader
Thursday, October 16, 2008 | Football
By: Kelly Reynolds, UF Communications
Redshirt senior Jason Watkins is a hard guy to miss. Standing tall at six-foot-six and carrying a 310-pound stature, the veteran offensive lineman is a staple of the University of Florida front five. Not only is Watkins a hard guy to miss on the football field, but his contributions to the University, his teammates and the Gainesville community give a presence of unmatched leadership that excels beyond Florida Field.
A self-proclaimed leader, not only has Watkins, “J. Wat,” emerged as the starting left tackle for the Orange and Blue, but in his five years with the program, he has risen as a team leader. Watkins defines a leader both vocally and by example to gain the respect of his teammates and coaches alike.
“I'm trying to not only talk about being a leader, but also prove it on the field,” Watkins said. “I'm just going out and working absolutely as hard as I can every day.”
On the football field, Watkins has seen action in 44 games as a Gator, recording 20 starts, after securing the starting right tackle position last season. During Florida's 2007 campaign, he made his presence felt, grading out a champion on the offensive line against six UF opponents, including Auburn, LSU, Kentucky, Vanderbilt, South Carolina and FAU, securing season highs against Kentucky (83 percent) and Vanderbilt (81 percent). In 2006, Watkins showed his versatility, lining up at tight end against Auburn, Vanderbilt and Southern Miss when his number was called, giving relentless effort that aided the Gators on their path to the 2006 SEC and Tostitos BCS National Championship titles.
It's no surprise to those around Watkins that he has become such a force, both on the field as a player, and as a member of the UF squad.
“"The sky's the limit for Jason,” former UF recruiting coordinator Mike Locksley said about Watkins during his freshman season in 2004. “He's very similar to what Derrick Harvey is on defense. His athleticism is phenomenal for a guy his size. Usually a big guy like that has a hard time getting low but he has no problem with it. He will be a staple in our offensive line for years.”
Still holding strong four years later, Watkins was recently honored as a member of head coach Urban Meyer's Champions Club for his perseverance in UF's 30-6 SEC victory over the Tennessee Volunteers. “J. Wat” graded out at 84 percent and was one of the Offensive Players of the Week, awarded to four offensive linemen.
“I really like his growth, his demeanor, his personality, his approach to the game,” current UF offensive line coach Steve Addazio said prior to the 2008 season. “We play the five best players on the offensive line and he has pushed to be one of the five best players.”
Aside from Watkins' athletic contributions, his demeanor and off-the-field presence have left a lasting mark on the Gator football program. Selected by his teammates as a 2008 team captain, Watkins' community service and team involvement have set the bar high for the Gator squad.
“It's all about doing everything the right way,” Watkins said of his leadership role at the start of the 2008 season. “If I set the standard and hold it high for everyone, I'm not only holding it high for my teammates, but myself too.”
Not only was Watkins tabbed a team captain this year, he was additionally selected as a member of the 2008 UF Football Leadership Committee by his Gator teammates, distinguishing him as an elite leader. The eminent group is comprised of approximately 15 current members of the football team, including only seven seniors, while each class has at least one representative. The purpose of the Committee is to serve as spokesmen of the Gator football program regarding team policies, team academics and any off-campus situations. The committee additionally handles any other topic that could potentially promote the betterment of the team.
Watkins takes his leadership role seriously—he knows his teammates follow his lead.
As one of the 2007 football representatives to the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee alongside fellow senior James Smith, Watkins and Smith collaborated with representatives from all of UF's athletic teams in discussion and decision-making on behalf of all of the University of Florida student-athletes last year.
Making an impact in the Gainesville community is also a part of Watkins' leadership mold. An active member of the Goodwill Gators, he has devoted his time away from the football field and training room to the local community, serving as a positive role model to make a difference in the lives of others. This past season, Watkins spent time volunteering at the Climb for Cancer Sports Camp, and also at the Ronald McDonald House.
With only four more months left in his Gator football career, Watkins, who will earn his degree from UF in Anthropology, is determined to close his senior campaign strong on all fronts as a leader of the Gator pack—leaving a legacy not only statistically on the football field, but as a leader of the squad and a standout University of Florida student-athlete.
“I know this whole team is counting on me. It's my responsibility to lead,” Watkins said.
