Brandon Watts

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

Brandon Watts
Watts with the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
No. 58
Position:Linebacker
Personal information
Born: (1991-01-21) January 21, 1991
Tennille, Georgia
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 highlights and awards
  • 2013 Butkus Award Preseason Watch List
  • 2013 Preseason Third Team All-ACC (Phil Steele)
Career NFL statistics
Total tackles:8
Sacks:0.0
Forced fumbles:2
Fumble recoveries:0
Interceptions:0
Player stats at NFL.com
Player stats at PFR

Early years

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
Height Weight 40-yard dash 10-yard split 20-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 s 1.51 s 2.55 s 4.21 s 6.89 s 37.5 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 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]

References
  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. http://www.nfldraftscout.com/ratings/dsprofile.php?pyid=90837&draftyear=2014&genpos=OLB
  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. "A handful of former Vikings will be playing in the Alliance of American Football". Daily Norseman. Retrieved 6 November 2018.
  9. Michael Rothstein, Seth Wickersham (June 13, 2019). "Inside the short, unhappy life of the Alliance of American Football". ESPN.com. Retrieved September 12, 2019.
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