Brandon Watts

Last updated
Brandon Watts
Brandon Watts 2013.jpg
Watts with Georgia Tech in 2013
No. 58
Position: Linebacker
Personal information
Born: (1991-01-21) January 21, 1991 (age 33)
Tennille, Georgia, U.S.
Height:6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
Weight:272 lb (123 kg)
Career information
High school: Sandersville (GA) Washington County
College: Georgia Tech
NFL draft: 2014  / Round: 7 / Pick: 223
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career NFL statistics
Total tackles:8
Forced fumbles:2
Player stats at PFR

Brandon Watts (born January 21, 1991) is a former American football linebacker. He played college football at Georgia Tech. He was selected by the Minnesota Vikings in the seventh round, 223rd overall, of the 2014 NFL Draft.

Contents

Early life

Watts attended Washington County High School in Sandersville, Georgia, where he earned four varsity letters in football, playing quarterback and safety, and served two years as a team captain. As a senior in 2008, he recorded 86 tackles (nine for loss) and three interceptions on defense, as well as three rushing touchdowns as a quarterback, despite only playing in eight games because of a torn labrum in the shoulder. He was an honorable mention All-State (GHSA), was named to the Augusta Chronicle All-Georgia Team, was named Region 3AAA Defensive Player of the Year and was a first-team All-Middle Georgia. He also ran track & field all four years as a sprinter and played basketball for two seasons.

Regarded as a three-star recruit by Rivals.com, Watts was listed as the 68th best player in the state of Georgia. He committed to Georgia Tech on March 19, 2008. He also had scholarship offers from Auburn and Georgia [1]

College career

Watts attended Georgia Institute of Technology, where he played for the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets football team from 2009 to 2013. [2] He was productive in his two years as a starter, collecting 143 total tackles in 26 games.

In 2012, Watts played a majority of the snaps on defense and recorded 77 tackles.

Watts finished his senior season after coming back from an injury with 66 total tackles (42 solo), and 3.5 tackles for loss. He added an interception, a pass break-up, a forced fumble and 2.5 sacks.

Professional career

Pre-draft

Pre-draft measurables
HeightWeight 40-yard dash 10-yard split20-yard split 20-yard shuttle Three-cone drill Vertical jump Broad jump Bench press
6 ft 0 in
(1.83 m)
225 lb
(102 kg)
4.41 s1.51 s2.55 s4.21 s6.89 s37.5 in
(0.95 m)
10 ft 2 in
(3.10 m)
16 reps
All values from Pro Day [3]

At his Pro Day, Watts stood out with a 4.41 40-yard dash, 37.5 inch (0.95m) vertical jump, and 10'3" (3.14m) broad jump, which would have all been near the top at this position at the combine. He also posted a 6.89-second three-cone drill.

Minnesota Vikings

Watts was selected with the 223rd pick in the 2014 NFL Draft by the Minnesota Vikings. [4] He signed a 4-year, $2,282,448 contract, including a $62,448 signing bonus guaranteed, and an average annual salary of $570,612. On September 3, 2016, he was released by the Vikings as part of final roster cuts. [5]

Miami Dolphins

Watts was signed to the Miami Dolphins practice squad on September 6, 2016. He signed a reserve/future contract with the Dolphins on January 10, 2017. [6] He was waived on September 2, 2017. [7]

Atlanta Legends

On August 17, 2018, Watts signed with Atlanta Legends of the Alliance of American Football for the 2019 season. [8] The league ceased operations in April 2019. [9]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Zach Thomas</span> American football player (born 1973)

Zachary Michael Thomas is an American former professional football player who was a linebacker in the National Football League (NFL) for 13 seasons. He played college football for the Texas Tech Red Raiders, and was recognized as a unanimous All-American. He was selected in the fifth round, 22nd pick, in the 1996 NFL draft by the Miami Dolphins, and played for the Dolphins in his first 12 seasons in the NFL, before playing his 13th and final season with the Dallas Cowboys.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Omare Lowe</span> American football player (born 1978)

Omare Gerald Lowe is a former American football cornerback. He was drafted by the Miami Dolphins in the fifth round of the 2002 NFL Draft. He played college football at Washington.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kendall Langford</span> American football player (born 1986)

Kendall Arkel Langford is a former American football defensive end. He played college football at Hampton, and was drafted by the Miami Dolphins in the third round of the 2008 NFL draft. He also played for the St. Louis Rams, Indianapolis Colts, New Orleans Saints, and Houston Texans.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Reshad Jones</span> American football player (born 1988)

Reshad Monquez Jones is an American former professional football player who was a safety in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at the Georgia Bulldogs. He was selected by the Miami Dolphins in the fifth round of the 2010 NFL draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Melvin Ingram</span> American football player (born 1989)

Melvin Ingram III is an American football linebacker who is a free agent. He played college football at South Carolina, and earned All-American honors. He was selected by the San Diego Chargers in the first round with the 18th overall pick of the 2012 NFL draft. He has also played for the Pittsburgh Steelers, Kansas City Chiefs and Miami Dolphins.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jamar Taylor</span> American football player (born 1990)

Jamar Andrew Taylor is a former American football cornerback. He played college football at Boise State and was selected by the Miami Dolphins in the second round of the 2013 NFL Draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kiko Alonso</span> American football player (born 1990)

Kristian "Kiko" Alonso is a former American football linebacker. He was selected by the Buffalo Bills in the second round of the 2013 NFL Draft. He was traded four times in his NFL career, which is tied with Eric Dickerson and Brandin Cooks for an NFL record.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rod Sweeting</span> American gridiron football player (born 1990)

Roderick Hilary Sweeting is a Canadian football cornerback for the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He played college football for the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nick Williams (defensive lineman)</span> American football player (born 1990)

Nick Williams is an American football defensive end who is a free agent. He was selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the seventh round of the 2013 NFL Draft after his college football career at Samford. He also played for the Kansas City Chiefs, Miami Dolphins, Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions, New York Giants and Los Angeles Chargers.

Deon L. Lacey is an American professional football linebacker who is a free agent. He played college football at the University of West Alabama. He has been a member of the Dallas Cowboys, Edmonton Eskimos / Elks, Miami Dolphins, Buffalo Bills and Saskatchewan Roughriders.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kendall Fuller</span> American football player (born 1995)

Kendall Christopher Fuller is an American football cornerback for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Virginia Tech and was selected by the Washington Redskins in the third round of the 2016 NFL draft. Fuller also played for the Kansas City Chiefs, recording a game-sealing interception in Super Bowl LIV.

Brandon Doughty is a former American football quarterback. He played college football at Western Kentucky and was their starting quarterback from 2013 to 2015.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Justin Coleman</span> American football player (born 1993)

Justin Jamal Coleman is an American football cornerback and nickelback who is a free agent. He played college football at Tennessee, and signed with the Minnesota Vikings as an undrafted free agent in 2015. He has also been a member of the New England Patriots, Seattle Seahawks, Detroit Lions, and Miami Dolphins. Coleman won Super Bowl LI with the Patriots.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Neville Hewitt (American football)</span> American football player (born 1993)

Neville Hewitt is an American football linebacker for the Houston Texans of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Marshall, where he was a safety and linebacker. Hewitt signed with the Miami Dolphins as an undrafted free agent in 2015.

Shamiel Gary is a former American football safety. He played his first two college football seasons at Wyoming, where he was a Freshman All-American, before transferring to Oklahoma State and redshirting in 2011. He was signed by the New England Patriots as an undrafted free agent in 2014. He also played for the Chicago Bears.

Samuel Ehi Eguavoen is an American football linebacker who is a free agent. He played college football at Texas Tech.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Minkah Fitzpatrick</span> American football player (born 1996)

Minkah Annane Fitzpatrick Jr. is an American football safety for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Alabama Crimson Tide, and was selected by the Miami Dolphins in the first round of the 2018 NFL draft before being traded to the Steelers during the 2019 season.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cordrea Tankersley</span> American football player (born 1993)

Cordrea Tankersley is a former American football cornerback who played for the Miami Dolphins and the Minnesota Vikings of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Clemson and was selected by the Dolphins in the third round of the 2017 NFL Draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Frank Ginda</span> American football player (born 1997)

Frank Ginda is an American football linebacker for the Michigan Panthers of the United Football League (UFL). He played college football at San Jose State.

Nate Holley is an American football safety who is a free agent. Holley played high school football at Whitmer High School in Toledo, Ohio. He played NCAA football at Kent State. He has also been a member of the Minnesota Vikings, Nebraska Danger, Los Angeles Rams, and Calgary Stampeders.

References

  1. "Recruiting". Sports.yahoo.com. Retrieved 2021-09-25.
  2. Ken Sugiura (May 10, 2014). "Georgia Tech's Thomas, Watts drafted on final day". www.myajc.com. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Retrieved August 12, 2014.
  3. "Data". www.nfldraftscout.com. Retrieved 2021-09-25.
  4. Chris Tomasson (May 20, 2014). "Vikings' Teddy Bridgewater, Anthony Barr sign rookie deals". www.twincities.com. St. Paul Pioneer Press. Retrieved August 12, 2014.
  5. "Vikings Announce Roster Moves, Set 53-Man Roster". Vikings.com. September 3, 2016. Archived from the original on October 28, 2016.
  6. "PRESS RELEASE: Dolphins Sign 12 To Reserve/Futures Contracts". MiamiDolphins.com. January 10, 2017. Archived from the original on December 17, 2017.
  7. "Dolphins Make Roster Moves". MiamiDolphins.com. September 2, 2017. Archived from the original on June 20, 2018.
  8. Gates, Christopher (17 October 2018). "A handful of former Vikings will be playing in the Alliance of American Football". Daily Norseman. Retrieved 6 November 2018.
  9. Rothstein, Michael; Wickersham, Seth (June 13, 2019). "Inside the short, unhappy life of the Alliance of American Football". ESPN.com . Retrieved January 9, 2024.