NaasirWatkins

2018 – r-Freshman

• Saw action in 11 games and earned his first career start at left tackle in the season opener vs. Central Michigan
• Helped block for All-American Benny Snell Jr., who became UK’s all-time leading rusher and the first player to record three straight seasons of 1,000 yards rushing
• Missed the Texas A&M game with injury

2017 – Freshman

• Redshirt season

High School

• A three-star offensive line prospect by all four major recruiting services
• Played tackle and tight end in high school as he possesses an uncommon level of athleticism for a high school lineman
• Ranks as the No. 19 recruit in the state of Maryland and the No. 92 overall offensive tackle in his class according to 247 Sports
• ESPN.com lists Watkins as 94th-best offensive tackle in the nation
• ESPN.com’s scouting report says, “Watkins is a prospect with some raw ability and upside. Good height and bulk with a frame and build that can still be reworked some to carry and better maximize more mass. Displays good strength though room to improve and while good sized he still looks to have youthful type build”
• Earned second-team All-Sentinel by The Sentinel Newspapers
• Named second-team All-Conference defense by the Washington Catholic Athletic Conference (WCAC)
• Coached by Bill Milloy
• Chose Kentucky over offers from Baylor, Temple and Old Dominion
• High school teammate of fellow 2017 signee Josh Paschal

Personal

• Name pronounced “Naasir (nah-SEAR)”
• Born in Bowie, Md.
• Son of Michelle Owens and Kevin Watkins
• Father, Kevin, played football at Norfolk State, while an uncle, Bryan Watkins, played at Pitt and another uncle, Randal Henry, played at Navy
• Major is pre-economics