For recent commitment Kenyatta Watson, Florida State just felt like home.
The highly-touted safety from Grayson High School in Logansville, Georgia pledged his services to the Seminoles last Saturday. Watson, a 2019 prospect, chose FSU over a number of big-name schools, including Florida, LSU and Tennessee.
“Florida State really just felt like actual home,” he said. “I could feel myself walking around the campus and just going to actual school there. I have to picture myself sitting in that class or walking around this place 365 days a year. I can just see myself living there.”
While Watson liked what he saw from campus, he has a deeper knowledge of the program’s history, particularly at his position. That, along with several other factors, ultimately led to his commitment.
“Other than education, for Florida State, you have to be the type of defensive back that they produce,” Watson said. “There’s a lot of schools that say they’re ‘DBU’. LSU will say it, Florida will say it. Really, Florida State is where it’s at. They have a lot of names at play, not only at the college level, but at the NFL and end up producing there, even becoming College Hall of Famers. I think it played a big role as they’re producing DBs from Deion Sanders all the way down to Jalen Ramsey.”
As for Ramsey, the former FSU All-American and last year’s fifth overall pick in the NFL Draft by the Jacksonville Jaguars, he’s a player that Watson said he would compare his game to. During his time at Florida State, Ramsey played many different roles, including at cornerback, safety and FSU’s “STAR” position.
“There’s a lot of similar things that he and I both have,” Watson said. “I’m not trying to compare myself to him, but there’s some things he has that I can also see in myself now and in the long run like his length and coming off the edge and being versatile and playing the whole secondary.”
Versatility and length are definite strengths, according to Watson, but those aren’t the only two things he brings to a secondary. Listed at 6-2 and less than 180 pounds, Watson is a bit on the lean side, but don’t let that fool you.
“The Noles are going to get a versatile DB who can play anywhere throughout the secondary really and even play in the box if needed,” Watson said. “I’m not scared to come downhill and hit anybody really. I think I bring something to the table with my length and my size and be able to size up anybody. I’m also a pretty good hustler. No matter where the ball is going on the field, I’m always going to try to get around people and be on top of the field.”
Watson, who is considering majoring in Marine Biology, is one of three 2019 prospects from Grayson High School already committed to FSU. Defensive tackle Tru Thompson was the first to commit on March 3. Watson’s commit was followed by 4-star tackle Wanya Morris just hours later.
“It was something that came up a lot, especially when we had been together for so long,” he said. “We all really wanted to go to the same school, so when the opportunity arose to where the school offered us and we had the things we wanted to major in at that school and not only that, but to be able to play football.”
The Seminoles are also very much in the mix for linebacker Owen Pappoe. Watson said continuing to be teammates was a factor in his decision to come to FSU, but it wasn’t the only one.
“It just provided an opportunity for all of us,” Watson said. “It didn’t come down to them just being my friend. I wouldn’t want Owen or Tru to go anywhere just because they’re my friend. Owen can go to Oregon or go to UCLA as long as that’s his lifestyle and that’s where he thinks he’s going to do great. But it did play a lot in me going to FSU.”
Mike Ferguson is the editor of The Daily Nole. Follow Mike on Twitter @MikeWFerguson
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