WATKINS INKS WITH EKU

Caleb Watkins made it official Thursday; he will be an EKU Colonel. The Corbin senior signed his letter of intent to play for coach Dean Hood and the Eastern Kentucky University Colonels.

The Colonels, who finished third in the Ohio Valley Conference last season, will be among the conference favorites once again. They will open the season with three straight road games, including a September 11 date with the University of Louisville.

Hood turned in one of his best recruiting classes to date, signing 21 players. Eight Kentuckians signed with the Colonels. Besides Watkins, Anderson County quarterback Jacob Russell inked with Eastern along with Lafayette running back Eric Shaw, Hazard kicker Austin Delpont, Hazard defensive lineman Allan Fugate, Henry Clay lineman Tyrelle Johnson and Trinity offensive lineman Dylan Kupper.

Corbin Coach Steve Jewell feels Hood got one of the best players in southeastern Kentucky in Watkins.

“I think he is going to be a really good fit for them,” said Jewell. “I know his aspirations were to go higher at times, but this will be an excellent fit for Caleb.”

“Anyone that knows Caleb knows he loves his home and is family orientated. I think it will be a good fit for him to stay close to home and be able to stay tight with his family and friends,” said Jewell. “Being down that road myself, I know there is a lot of merit to what you hear about people getting homesick for home. Those first couple of years are rough because you are starting all over as a little freshman or small fish in a big pond.”

“I think him having the support close by and being able to come home when he wants to will keep him real comfortable,” Jewell said. “It will allow him the ability to excel academically and athletically until he can get into that sophomore year where he can really help them out.”

“I think they got a great steal, I really do,” he added. “I know what he has strength wise and I know what he has speed wise and more than anything I know what he has heart wise and I know it is a big steal for Eastern to get him.”

“It will be a real treat to have in this part of the state,” said Jewell.

Watkins, 6-1, 215-pounds, led the Redhounds with 32 touchdowns last season while running for 1,873 yards. He had 2,985 all-purpose yards while leading the team in tackles with 114.

He is the 2009 News Journal Player of the Year and has been named to the all-district team three years as well as all-area and All-SEKC. He was Second Team All-State as a senior and two-time all-state honorable mention.

Watkins enjoyed a memorable night when he scored eight touchdowns and a two-point conversion against Knott County Central. He had 269 yards on just eight carries to go along with his 50-point effort.

Jewell said Watkins has very little adjustments to make. “I think just getting adjusted to the college life. Athletically I don’t think there will be any adjustments because he is probably one of the hardest working players I’ve had as far as self-motivated in a long time.”

“Caleb is one of those that after our hour and a half workout, you turn around and he is still over there in the corner doing some things on his own to better himself whether it is speed or strength,” said Jewell.

“I don’t think there is a question with Caleb about working or work-ethic whatsoever,” added Jewell. “For him, it will be the usual getting adjusted to college life, the different new people, the new faces, new friends and things like that.”

“I think he is well suited and well ready to go,” said Jewell.