Tag: Winston Watkins Jr.

No. 11 IMG Academy wraps season with victory over No. 2 St. Frances Academy

IMG Academy took down St. Frances academy with help from Ohio State commit Carnell Tate and newly un-committed Winston Watkins Jr.

If there was one high school game important for college football fans to pay attention to over the weekend — and perhaps over the entire season — it was the clash between No. 2 St. Frances Academy (Md.) and No. 11 IMG Academy (Fla.).

In the showing of star power, IMG Academy took home the 27-16 win and closed its season with an 8-1 record.

Though IMG was ranked lower, calling this an upset wouldn’t exactly be right. Both schools are historically dominant and carried that into this year. Entering the game, SFA was 8-0 with wins against very good schools around the country, including East St. Louis (Ill.), DeSoto (Texas), Venice (Florida), Dutch Fork (Irmo, S.C.), and Kahuku (Hawaii). Meanwhile, IMG was 7-1 with four straight shutouts—a combined score of 254-0.

The teams and their fans desperately wanted a win, but college football fans could simply enjoy it as peak high school performance and also a glimpse at players who might don the jerseys of their favorite team in the future.

Ohio State commit Carnell Tate, a 6-foot-2 receiver for IMG, finished the game with two touchdowns:

Sophomore Winston Watkins Jr. decommitted from Texas A&M the morning of the game and gave college programs an argument for why they should be the next school to offer him. The 5-foot-10 receiver, ranked No. 13 on the 247Sports composite, scored a touchdown in the fourth quarter.

It was his tenth touchdown of the season, according to ScorebookLive.

One of the game’s most important plays came in the second quarter. Jordan Johnson-Rubell broke the game open with an interception near the five-yard line that he returned for a touchdown, giving the Ascenders cushion for the second half.

Johnson-Rubell, ranked as a four-star safety and the No. 86 player on the composite, has 26 offers, per 247Sports.

The Athletic posted an intriguing recruitment article in March, headlined by Johnson-Rubell but more broadly about IMG’s college recruitment in general. While he plays in Florida, he could be considered a Texas high school prospect as well.

That’s meaningless to IMG fans, but for college fans paying attention to these games, it adds a different level of possibility for these players.

There were plenty of top-tiered recruits to pay attention to during this game. In the end, IMG’s stars got the upper hand on those from St. Frances Academy.

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Winston Watkins shares his perspective on Clemson amidst reopening his recruiting

2025 WR Winston Watkins Jr. announced on Friday that he would be decommitting from Texas A&M. The prospect out of Bradenton’s IMG Academy spoke to The Clemson Insider and shared why he reopened his recruiting and how his cousin, former Clemson …

2025 WR Winston Watkins Jr. announced on Friday that he would be decommitting from Texas A&M. The prospect out of Bradenton’s IMG Academy spoke to The Clemson Insider and shared why he reopened his recruiting and how his cousin, former Clemson phenom Sammy Watkins, is making a push for the him to consider Clemson.

The prospect shared why he decided to decommit from Texas A&M and ultimately reopen his recruitment.

“Trying to make sure I see all my options,” he said.

The high school sophomore, who tweeted “talk to me” to both Clemson wide receivers coach Tyler Grisham and his cousin Sammy Watkins, indicated to TCI that he wants Clemson to know that he is interested in what the program has to offer him.

“A decent amount trying to get that offer,” he said. “So then I could start being more interested to the Tigers.”

The Florida native, who went to a camp at Clemson last summer, shared that he has developed a good relationship with both coach Dabo Swinney and Grisham.

“It’s great, they are great people and love to get the best out of you.”

The prospect’s cousin, Sammy Watkins, has emphasized to the recruit that he needs to keep Clemson high on his priority list.

“He been trying get to slide to Clemson,” he said.

Watkins indicated that when he makes that final choice on a school, he will be looking for a program that is filled with coaches who are invested in maximizing his capabilities out on the field.

“Coaching and me getting to the best of my abilities,” he said.

Dear Old Clemson is excited to announce a limited edition football and poster signed by Clemson’s Avengers.

Now there is a new way you can support Clemson student-athletes. Purchase collectibles from Dear Old Clemson and the proceeds with go to support Clemson student-athletes. Visit Dear Old Clemson to find out how you can help!

Relative of former Tiger, current NFL standout had ‘great experience’ at Clemson

The younger cousin of a former Clemson standout, who has seen his recruitment take off at such a young age and has already collected multiple Power Five offers, participated in the Dabo Swinney Camp last month. Bradenton (Fla.) IMG Academy’s Winston …

The younger cousin of a former Clemson standout, who has seen his recruitment take off at such a young age and has already collected multiple Power Five offers, participated in the Dabo Swinney Camp last month.

Bradenton (Fla.) IMG Academy’s Winston Watkins, Jr. — a 5-foot-10, 172-pound rising sophomore in the class of 2025 — camped at Clemson on June 2.

“It was great,” Watkins told The Clemson Insider last month. “I had a great experience. I saw a lot of stuff while I was touring the campus and I loved it. I liked the facility a lot. I loved the slide. It’s a pretty good facility and they had a lot of construction going on, so some parts you couldn’t get to, but it was pretty great.”

What type of feedback did Watkins get from Clemson wide receivers coach Tyler Grisham?

“He says that I’m a great player and loves how I play the game,” Watkins recalled. “He’s just gonna keep recruiting me. He loves the way I look right now, but he knows I’m gonna keep developing over time.”

“Me and (Coach) Grisham have a pretty decent relationship,” Watkins continued. “I talk to him a decent amount for him to be a college receiver coach, to the point we’re just building our bond together.”

Watkins also had a chance to talk at length with Dabo Swinney

According to Watkins, Clemson’s head coach told him that he loved him and liked what he saw during that particular session of Swinney Camp. Swinney said that he’s going to keep watching Watkins over the years and that every time he sees him, he continues to grow and get better.

“He says I’m gonna be the next best Watkins,” Watkins said of Swinney.

While Watkins committed to Texas A&M on Dec. 20, 2021, he’s still trying to enjoy the recruitment process as a rising sophomore on the recruiting trail. Talking about his pledge to the Aggies, Watkins said that Texas A&M “felt like a great place to be” and got a great feeling when he was on campus. 

He’s made several visits to some top Power Five programs this summer, including Clemson, and added offers to his list from schools like Texas, Ohio State, Alabama and the University of Miami.

Watkins appreciates that Clemson wants to take the time and build a relationship with him, but he said that he believes they should pull the trigger on offering some prospects earlier than others.

“I’m glad that they’re building a connection with me and getting to know me,” he said.

Dear Old Clemson’s first event is July 24. Now there is a new way to support Clemson student-athletes. Come out and meet the freshmen football players at this meet and greet autograph session. If you sign up for certain club levels you get free access to all Dear Old Clemson events. Purchase your tickets today at Dear Old Clemson.