Among the group of touted prospects from Georgia dubbed the “True 19” that visited Clemson for its junior day on Saturday was Loganville (Ga.) Grayson safety Kenyatta Watson.
It was Watson’s third time on campus after attending Clemson’s games against Louisville and N.C. State last season.
“It was great,” Watson told The Clemson Insider. “Really cool seeing the new facility and how much time they put into it, and it was better seeing my former head coach Mickey Conn.”
Conn of course was hired as a senior defensive analyst on Clemson’s staff in March 2016 before being promoted to safeties coach in January. The former teammate with Dabo Swinney on Alabama’s 1992 national championship team started the Grayson program in 2000 and compiled a record of 137-48 with seven region championships.
Watson, who was a freshman on Conn’s last team in 2015 that made it to the state playoff semifinal, was happy to spend time and catch up with his former coach.
What did he hear?
“That he loved my size and speed as a safety,” said Watson, who stands at 6-foot-2 180 pounds. “Especially since he has seen me through my process from eighth grade to now, he sees how I have developed and become a better player.”
Watson said he has developed a strong bond with Conn and a good relationship with his family over the years.
“I know his kids and his wife well,” he said. “But me and coach Conn, I think our relationship is strong now more than ever since he spends a lot of time with me.
“I like how straight and to the point he is with his players. Everything he does has a purpose.”
After winning the 2016 state championship with Grayson, Watson is preparing for a starting role this coming season. An aggressive, physical and versatile defensive back with great size and a long frame, he could play safety, corner or nickel at the next level.
His dad, former Boston College receiver Kenyatta Watson, played with cornerbacks coach Mike Reed at the school in the early 1990s.
Watson doesn’t yet have an offer from Clemson but owns more than a dozen others as a sophomore, including ones from Boston College, Florida, Florida State, LSU, Maryland, Nebraska and Tennessee among others.
Watson has stated in the past that Clemson is one of his favorite schools, and reuniting with Conn is something he’s thought about.
“It would be great,” Watson said. “I only played under him for a year, so to be able play with him again as my position coach would be great.”
Watson named Florida State, Florida and Tennessee as the schools showing the most interest right now. He plans to commit sometime during his junior year.
Visits to Florida State, Miami, UCF, Florida, LSU and Georgia are some of the others he has taken this year.