ALL-STATE CANDIDATE – WATKINS

Corbin senior Caleb Watkins has made a man for himself as one of the top running backs in the state of Kentucky. He is currently the leading rusher in 2A, leading scorer in 2A and is fourth overall in Kentucky scoring with 170 pints. Watkins took time out of his busy schedule for a question and answer session Wednesday. Here is that interview with Sports Editor Jim McAlister.

NJ: What do you enjoy most about football?

Watkins: I just enjoy the competitiveness and how much Corbin supports the football program and comes out on Friday night and watches you. It is a lot of fun and I enjoy being around all my teammates. Football is a great team sport. Everybody has to do his job; it’s not someone one individual person can win.

NJ: Offense or defense, which is your favorite?

Watkins: I get ask this quite a bit, but really I am not sure. As far as playing in college if I get the chance to people are talking about defense, but I like scoring touchdowns. I like making tackles and scoring touchdowns.

NJ: Who are some people you admire most?

Watkins: “It would have to be my parents for what all they do for me. They took me to a lot of camps this summer. It’s helped me improve as far as football goes. Another person I admire is Jesus Christ, for saving me changing my life and giving me all the abilities and talents that I do have and blessing me.

NJ: Who do you look up to in football?

Watkins: Somebody I really look up to is Tim Tebow of Florida. I like his morals and the way he plays on the football field. He plays hard every play but also gives God the glory for everything he does and I respect him for that.

NJ: What do you think of Tim Tebow?

Watkins: I respect everyway he lives his life. He is not a flashy guy and is not going to show off. He respects his teammates and the fans. He is not a person who is going out on the field and trash talk. He is going to play the game and play it hard.

NJ: What are your thoughts on scoring 8 TD’s in one game?

Watkins: I couldn’t have done any of it without my teammates. Everybody blocked well that night and I have to give God the glory once again. It’s an honor to be mention with other three players above me. To be mention with Billy Bird, who has our record, is such an honor.

NJ: Where is your dream school?

Watkins: If you are talking about the state of Kentucky, I would want to go to UK. I’ve always been a fan of them and cheered for them no matter who they are playing. I just like the Big Blue and Commonwealth Stadium. It has a great atmosphere so that would be a great place to play.

NJ: What colleges have you heard from?

Watkins: There are several colleges looking at me and I have one offer at this time. Wafford College in South Carolina has offered me a scholarship. They are a good college, they are a 1AA like Eastern, but I have also heard from UK, Western, Vanderbilt, Navy, Harvard and some of the other Ivy League schools.

NJ: Which ones interest you the most?

Watkins: I thought it was pretty cool to get contacted by Harvard. They are a very good academic college but also have a good football team in the Ivy League. But, I always wanted to go play for UK.

NJ: What do you want to study in college?

Watkins: I thought about going into a sports medicine or physical therapy. I would like to have a job where I can help people out. Something involved around sports.

NJ: What kind of student are you?

Watkins: I feel like I am a leader. I work hard on the field and I work hard in the classroom. I think academics come before athletics, so I want to go somewhere where I can get a good major and a good job.

NJ: What does growing up a Redhound mean to you?

Watkins: The tradition that this school has as far as football goes is unlike any other in this area. I always dreamed about playing on the high school team and scoring touchdowns. It’s an honor being part of a program like this and have all my friends and fan support around me. It’s been great.

NJ: Who do you want to be most like?

Watkins: I’d have to bring Tim Tebow back into this. He would be the player I want to be like and the type of person he is. A lot of people look up to him for the right reasons.

NJ: Where do you see yourself in 2-3 years?

Watkins: I hope to see myself with a starting position wherever that might be, whatever God’s will is and what school he leads me to. I hope to have a starting position and playing well.

NJ: What do you want to achieve out of life?

Watkins: Wherever I go I want to have a good football career and gain a good academic background and graduate from college. I want to have a good job, help other people out and come back to Corbin and work with the football program.

NJ: What has it been like playing for Steve Jewell?

Watkins: He is a very intense man. He wants you to play hard every play. He gets the best out of you on the field. I have a lot of respect for him. He works hard at his job and takes it very seriously. When you are trying to win you have to take it seriously. He expects us to put 110 percent effort every time we step on the field, whether it is practice or a game. That’s why is has had success as a coach and is a great person away from football.

WATKINS UP CLOSE

GPA: 4.3 (weighted)

Hobbies: Fishing, hiking, being on the lake, hanging out with friends

Jewell’s Comments: “Obviously, he brings another dimension to this team. With his speed he is able to run the ball inside, Caleb gives you a different dimensional threat because he can bounce it out or pound it inside with his physical strength. He catches the ball extremely well out of the backfield and runs with it. He is definitely the total package as far as all the different aspects that he gives you,” said Jewell.

“That’s not even including what he gives you on the defensive side of the ball. I think he is playing much better defense than he has the past two seasons. He has really stepped it up and he knows for us to be a better ballclub he needs to be on the field and he has stayed out on the field and done a very good job for us.”