# Austin Watkins

> Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Austin_Watkins
> Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Austin_Watkins.md
> Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Austin_Watkins
> Source revision: 1353808140
> License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/)

{{Short description|American football player (born 1998)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2024}}
{{Infobox NFL biography
| name          = Austin Watkins
| image         = Austin Watkins Jr. (53141795117) (cropped).jpg
| caption       = Watkins with the [Cleveland Browns](/source/Cleveland_Browns) in 2023
| current_team  = Montreal Alouettes  
| number        = 0
| position      = [Wide receiver](/source/Wide_receiver)
| birth_date    = {{birth date and age|1998|2|16}}
| birth_place   = [Fort Myers, Florida](/source/Fort_Myers%2C_Florida), U.S.
| height_ft     = 6
| height_in     = 3
| weight_lb     = 210
| high_school   = [North Fort Myers (FL)](/source/North_Fort_Myers_High_School)
| college       =
[Dodge City CC](/source/Dodge_City_Community_College) (2016–2017)<br>
[UAB](/source/UAB_Blazers_football) (2018–2020)
| undraftedyear = 2021
| pastteams     =
* [San Francisco 49ers](/source/San_Francisco_49ers) ({{NFL Year|2021}})*
* [Tampa Bay Buccaneers](/source/Tampa_Bay_Buccaneers) ({{NFL Year|2022}})*
* [Saskatchewan Roughriders](/source/Saskatchewan_Roughriders) ({{CFL Year|2022}})*
* [Memphis Showboats](/source/Memphis_Showboats_(2022)) ({{USFL Year|2023}})*
* [Birmingham Stallions](/source/Birmingham_Stallions_(2022)) ({{USFL Year|2023}})
* [Cleveland Browns](/source/Cleveland_Browns) ({{NFL Year|2023}})
* [Philadelphia Eagles](/source/Philadelphia_Eagles) ({{NFL Year|2024}})*
* Birmingham Stallions ({{UFL Year|2025}})
* [Montreal Alouettes](/source/Montreal_Alouettes) ({{CFL Year|2026}}–present)
| status        = Active 
| cflstatus     = American
| highlights    =
* [USFL](/source/USFL_(2022)) champion ([2023](/source/2023_USFL_Championship_Game))
* First-team All-[Conference USA](/source/Conference_USA) (2020)
* Second-team All-Conference USA (2019)
| pfr           = WatkAu01
}}

'''Austin Watkins Jr.''' (born February 16, 1998) is an American professional [football](/source/American_football) [wide receiver](/source/wide_receiver) for the [Montreal Alouettes](/source/Montreal_Alouettes) of the [Canadian Football League](/source/Canadian_Football_League) (CFL). He played [college football](/source/college_football) for the [Dodge City Conquistadors](/source/Dodge_City_Community_College) and [UAB Blazers](/source/UAB_Blazers_football). Watkins has also been a member of the [San Francisco 49ers](/source/San_Francisco_49ers), [Tampa Bay Buccaneers](/source/Tampa_Bay_Buccaneers), [Saskatchewan Roughriders](/source/Saskatchewan_Roughriders), [Memphis Showboats](/source/Memphis_Showboats_(2022)), and [Cleveland Browns](/source/Cleveland_Browns).

==Early life==
Watkins grew up in [Fort Myers, Florida](/source/Fort_Myers%2C_Florida), and attended [North Fort Myers High School](/source/North_Fort_Myers_High_School).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://nbc-2.com/news/local/2021/04/24/nfl-draft-up-next-for-austin-watkins-jr/|title=NFL Draft up next for Austin Watkins Jr.|date=April 24, 2021|website=NBC2 News}}</ref>

==College career==
Watkins began his collegiate career at [Dodge City Community College](/source/Dodge_City_Community_College). As a freshman, he caught 38 passes for 376 yards and one touchdown and committed to transfer to UAB after his sophomore season.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.al.com/sports/2017/07/juco_receiver_austin_watkins_c.html|title=JUCO receiver Austin Watkins commits to UAB|first=Drew|last=Champlin|website=[AL.com](/source/AL.com)|date=July 14, 2017}}</ref> Watkins had 24 receptions for 330 yards with four touchdowns as a sophomore.<ref name="t310">{{cite web | last=Irvine | first=Steve | title=Talented wide receiver | website=247Sports | date=2018-04-04 | url=https://247sports.com/college/alabama-birmingham/Article/JUCO-product-Austin-Watkins-is-fitting-nicely-into-a-crowded-group-of-wide-receivers-at-UAB-116996370/ | access-date=2024-08-10}}</ref>

Watkins played in four games in his first season with the Blazers before opting to redshirt the year.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.news-press.com/story/sports/high-school/2021/04/27/nfl-draft-hardships-make-fort-myers-austin-watkins-ready-league/7320693002/|title='I can get through anything': Hardships fortify Austin Watkins on his path to the NFL|work=[The News-Press](/source/The_News-Press)|date=April 27, 2021}}</ref> He became a starter going into his redshirt junior season was named second-team All-[Conference USA](/source/Conference_USA) after catching 57 passes for 1,092 yards and six touchdowns.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.news-press.com/story/sports/2020/09/09/north-fort-myers-product-austin-watkins-seeks-turn-heads-nfl-scouts-uab/5749742002/|title=UAB WR, North Fort Myers product Austin Watkins seeks to turn NFL scout heads this season|work=[The News-Press](/source/The_News-Press)|date=September 9, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.al.com/uab/2020/03/hating-the-time-off-uabs-austin-watkins-enters-spring-with-receiving-record-on-mind.html|title='Hating the time off': UAB's Austin Watkins enters spring with receiving record on mind|first=Evan|last=Dudley|website=[AL.com](/source/AL.com)|date=March 2, 2020}}</ref> As a redshirt senior, Watkins was named first-team All-Conference USA after finishing the season with 34 receptions for 468 yards with three touchdowns.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.al.com/uab/2020/11/uabs-austin-watkins-accepts-senior-bowl-invitation.html|title=UAB's Austin Watkins accepts Senior Bowl invitation|first=Creg|last=Stephenson|website=[AL.com](/source/AL.com)|date=November 12, 2020}}</ref>

==Professional career==
{{NFL predraft
|    height ft = 6
|    height in = 1 1/2
|       weight = 209
|         dash = 4.53
|    ten split = 1.71
| twenty split = 2.75
|        bench = 18
|     arm span = 31
|    hand span = 9 1/2
|         note = All values from [Pro Day](/source/Pro_Day)<ref>{{Cite web |title=Austin Watkins Jr. Draft and Combine Prospect Profile |url=https://www.nfl.com/prospects/austin-watkins-jr/32005741-5430-2971-6030-0ad0cb210399 |access-date=August 4, 2023 |website=NFL.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=2021 NFL Draft Scout Austin Watkins Jr. College Football Profile |url=https://draftscout.com/dsprofile.php?PlayerId=1028460&DraftYear=2021 |access-date=August 4, 2023 |website=DraftScout.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://insider.espn.com/nfl/draft/player/_/id/105214 |title=Austin Watkins 2021 NFL Draft Profile |access-date=August 4, 2023 |website=insider.espn.com}}</ref>
}}

===San Francisco 49ers===
Watkins signed with the [San Francisco 49ers](/source/San_Francisco_49ers) as an undrafted free agent on May 13, 2021.<ref>{{Cite web|title=49ers Sign 10 Rookies|url=https://www.49ers.com/news/49ers-sign-10-rookies|publisher=49ers.com|date=May 13, 2021|access-date=May 14, 2021}}</ref> He was waived/injured on August 17, and placed on injured reserve.<ref>{{cite web|title=49ers Make a Series of Roster Moves|url=https://www.49ers.com/news/49ers-make-a-series-of-roster-moves-x2842|publisher=49ers.com|date=August 17, 2021|access-date=August 17, 2021}}</ref> Watkins was released by San Francisco on August 25. He was re-signed to the 49ers' practice squad on November 3.<ref>{{cite web|title=49ers Open Practice Windows for Gould, Kittle and Wilson Jr.|url=https://www.49ers.com/news/open-practice-windows-robbie-gould-george-kittle-jeff-wilson-jr-trade-omenihu|website=49ers.com|date=November 3, 2021}}</ref> Watkins was again released by San Francisco on November 23.

===Tampa Bay Buccaneers===
On January 31, 2022, Watkins signed a reserve/future contract with the [Tampa Bay Buccaneers](/source/Tampa_Bay_Buccaneers).<ref>{{cite web|title=Bucs Sign Five More to Futures Contracts|url=https://www.buccaneers.com/news/bucs-sign-hofrichter-hubbard-jonsen-smith-watkins-futures-contracts-roster-moves|author=Smith, Scott|website=Buccaneers.com|date=January 31, 2022|access-date=February 5, 2022|archive-date=February 3, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220203171215/https://www.buccaneers.com/news/bucs-sign-hofrichter-hubbard-jonsen-smith-watkins-futures-contracts-roster-moves|url-status=dead}}</ref> He was waived on May 16.<ref>{{cite web|title=Three Tryout Players Earn Contracts with Buccaneers|url=https://www.buccaneers.com/news/bucs-sign-three-players-rookie-mini-camp-roster-moves|author=Smith, Scott|website=Buccaneers.com|date=May 16, 2022}}</ref>

===Saskatchewan Roughriders===
Watkins signed with [Saskatchewan Roughriders](/source/Saskatchewan_Roughriders) of the [Canadian Football League](/source/Canadian_Football_League) (CFL) on August 7, 2022. He was released by the Roughriders on August 18, having spent the entirety of his tenure with the club on the practice roster.<ref>{{Cite web |author=3Down Staff |date=August 18, 2022 |title=Riders release American receiver Austin Watkins Jr. |url=https://3downnation.com/2022/08/18/riders-release-american-receiver-austin-watkins-jr/ |access-date=August 19, 2022 |website=3DownNation |language=en-US}}</ref>

===Memphis Showboats===
Watkins signed with the [Tampa Bay Bandits](/source/Tampa_Bay_Bandits_(2022)) of the [United States Football League](/source/United_States_Football_League) (USFL) on October 22, 2022.<ref>{{cite tweet |user=USFLBandits |title=Free Agent Signings |number=1583910953283788800 |date=October 22, 2022 |access-date=October 25, 2022}}</ref> Watkins and all other Tampa Bay Bandits players were all transferred to the [Memphis Showboats](/source/Memphis_Showboats_(2022)) after it was announced that the Bandits were taking a hiatus and that the Showboats were joining the league.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Knight |first1=Joey |title=Tampa Bay Bandits won't play in United States Football League in 2023 |url=https://www.tampabay.com/sports/bucs/2022/11/15/usfl-tampa-bay-bandits-hiatus-memphis-showboats-todd-haley/ |website=tampabay.com |access-date=December 1, 2022}}</ref>

===Birmingham Stallions (first stint)===
Watkins was traded to the [Birmingham Stallions](/source/Birmingham_Stallions_(2022)) on January 11, 2023.<ref>{{cite tweet |user=USFLStallions |title=Transfer of playing rights |number=1613187252930187264 |date=January 11, 2023 |access-date=January 11, 2023}}</ref> He was released by the Stallions on July 22, to sign with an NFL team.<ref>{{cite tweet |user=USFLStallions |title=Contract Terminated / Signing with NFL Team |number=1682613408733200385 |date=July 22, 2023 |access-date=July 23, 2023}}</ref>

===Cleveland Browns===
On July 22, 2023, Watkins signed with the [Cleveland Browns](/source/Cleveland_Browns).<ref>{{cite web |title=Browns sign Austin Watkins Jr. |url=https://www.clevelandbrowns.com/news/browns-sign-austin-watkins-jr |website=ClevelandBrowns.com |access-date=July 22, 2023}}</ref> Watkins led the Browns in receiving yards in each of their first three preseason games in 2023.<ref>{{cite web |title=Austin Watkins Reliable Once Again In 2nd Preseason Game |url=https://www.clevelandbrowns.com/news/by-the-numbers-austin-watkins-reliable-once-again-in-2nd-preseason-game |website=ClevelandBrowns.com |access-date=August 11, 2023}}</ref> He was waived on August 29, and re-signed to the practice squad.<ref>{{cite web|title=Browns reduce roster to 53|url=https://www.clevelandbrowns.com/news/browns-2023-reduce-roster-to-53|website=ClevelandBrowns.com|date=August 29, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Browns claim CB Kahlef Hailassie and add 15 to practice squad|url=https://www.clevelandbrowns.com/news/browns-claim-cb-kahlef-hailassie-and-add-15-to-practice-squad|website=ClevelandBrowns.com|date=August 30, 2023}}</ref> He was not signed to a reserve/future contract by the team after the season and thus became a free agent upon the expiration of his practice squad contract.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.si.com/nfl/browns/news/browns-sign-nine-players-to-reserve-futures-contracts|website=[Sports Illustrated](/source/Sports_Illustrated)|title=Browns Begin Offseason By Signing Nine Players To Reserve, Futures Contracts|date=January 15, 2024|author=German, Spencer}}</ref>

===Philadelphia Eagles===
On January 18, 2024, Watkins signed a reserve/future contract with the [Philadelphia Eagles](/source/Philadelphia_Eagles).<ref>{{Cite web |last=Erby |first=Glenn |date=January 18, 2024 |title=Eagles sign 20 players to Reserve/Futures deals |url=https://theeagleswire.usatoday.com/lists/philadelphia-eagles-nfl-free-agency-reserve-futures-deals-shaquan-davis-mekhi-garner/ |access-date=2025-07-29 |website=Eagles Wire |publisher=USA Today}}</ref> He was waived on August 27.<ref>{{cite web|title=Get your first look at the Eagles' initial 53-man roster|url=https://www.philadelphiaeagles.com/news/eagles-53-man-roster-2024-season-jalen-hurts-saquon-barkley|website=PhiladelphiaEagles.com|date=August 27, 2024}}</ref>

===Birmingham Stallions (second stint)===
On October 30, 2024, Watkins re-signed with the Birmingham Stallions.<ref>{{Cite web |title=UFL Transactions |url=https://uflboard.com/ufl-transactions/ |access-date=2024-10-31 |website=UFLBoard.com |language=en-US}}</ref> He was released on May 14, 2025.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Larsen |first1=James |title=Defenders Swap Safeties Again, Stallions Cut Austin Watkins |url=https://pfnewsroom.com/news/defenders-swap-safeties-again-stallions-cut-austin-watkins/ |website=PFnewsroom |access-date=16 May 2025}}</ref>

===Montreal Alouettes===
On December 15, 2025, Watkins signed with the [Montreal Alouettes](/source/Montreal_Alouettes) of the [Canadian Football League](/source/Canadian_Football_League) (CFL).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bgmsportstrax.com/2025/12/15/montreal-alouettes-sign-wide-receiver-austin-watkins-jr/|title=Montreal Alouettes sign wide receiver Austin Watkins Jr.|website=bgmsportstrax.com|first=Michael|last=Heilman|date=December 15, 2025|access-date=January 21, 2026}}</ref>

==Personal life==
Watkins is the cousin of NFL [wide receiver](/source/wide_receiver) and [Super Bowl LIV](/source/Super_Bowl_LIV) champion, [Sammy Watkins](/source/Sammy_Watkins), and [Super Bowl LII](/source/Super_Bowl_LII) champion, [Jaylen Watkins](/source/Jaylen_Watkins).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://nbc-2.com/nbc-2-wbbh/2020/07/17/austin-watkins-set-to-make-name-for-himself-at-uab/|title=Austin Watkins Set to Make Name For Himself At UAB|date=July 17, 2020|website=NBC News}}</ref> His younger cousin, [Winston Watkins Jr.](/source/Winston_Watkins_Jr.), is committed to play for the [University of Colorado](/source/University_of_Colorado) in the class of 2025.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://n.rivals.com/content/athletes/winston-watkins-jr-280221?view=pv|title=Winston Watkins Jr. Rivals Recruitment Profile|date=December 4, 2022|website=Rivals.com}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*[https://uabsports.com/sports/football/roster/austin-watkins-jr-/7885 UAB Blazers bio]
*[https://www.cfl.ca/players/austin-watkins-jr/ CFL bio]

{{Montreal Alouettes roster navbox}}
{{2023 Birmingham Stallions}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Watkins, Austin}}
Category:1998 births
Category:Living people
Category:American football wide receivers
Category:Dodge City Conquistadors football players
Category:UAB Blazers football players
Category:San Francisco 49ers players
Category:Players of American football from Fort Myers, Florida
Category:Tampa Bay Bandits (2022) players
Category:Tampa Bay Buccaneers players
Category:Birmingham Stallions (2022) players
Category:Cleveland Browns players
Category:Saskatchewan Roughriders players
Category:Memphis Showboats (2022) players
Category:Canadian football wide receivers
Category:Players of Canadian football from Florida
Category:Philadelphia Eagles players
Category:21st-century American sportsmen
Category:Montreal Alouettes players

---
Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Austin Watkins](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Austin_Watkins) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Austin_Watkins?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.