A few background notes on the commitment from cornerback Kenyatta Watson …
--- Watson’s commitment became official tonight when he announced it on television, but he’s actually known for a while that he’d be a Longhorn. Behind the scenes, he’s been committed for a couple weeks.
---- Interestingly, Watson’s parents initially did not want him to go to Texas. They were completely sold on Notre Dame and had visited 30+ schools in two-and-a-half years. Kenyatta kept insisting for a couple years that he wanted to visit Texas, he wanted to major in kinesiology and Texas has a top-five program in physical therapy.
His parents finally gave in and decided to take him. His dad joked with me that they didn’t want Kenyatta to like Texas and it was more a “come on, let’s do this trip and get it over with so he can go to Notre Dame.”
“When we got there, we were blown away. It was how genuine coach Herman, coach Washington were,” Watson’s father said. “Austin is an amazing city. As we were leaving, (Kenyatta Jr.) asked me if I would live in South Bend? I was like, ‘Me? Heck no.” Then he asked if I would live in Austin and I said ‘Yeah, it was great.’”
It was at that point the family had a pretty good idea that Texas would win out.
--- Mr. Watson said the biggest difference that separated Texas from Notre Dame was the relationships Texas built with Kenyatta and his parents. Kenyatta had become very close with Notre Dame DB coach Todd Lyght, who has skins on the wall from his playing days, but Washington and Herman were able to win the family over.
“He felt really bad about letting (Lyght) down. But he built an amazing relationship with coach Washington, who has developed more people. Todd had done it (as a player), but Washington has developed,” Mr. Watson said.
--- Watson never really looked at the schools in his area, even with programs like LSU, Alabama and Clemson trying to make a late push.
“He said ‘Dad, I just want to do something different. I don’t want to go in the SEC, I want to do my own thing. I want to go to a conference where they throw the ball,’” Mr. Watson said. “And the defense coach Orlando plays, 3-2-6, they play about 8 DBs.”
--- Watson’s very familiar with the DB class Texas signed last year but it never fazed him. “At this level, you have to compete,” his father said. He was actually hosted on his official visit last weekend by Anthony Cook, and he’s stayed in touch with guys like Kris Boyd, Devante Davis, Cook and B.J. Foster
Watson is also related (cousins) with Texas tight end Reese Leitao.
--- With Texas set to potentially start two senior cornerbacks in 2018, Watson feels there’s an opportunity for early playing time in Austin. His family actually hopes he redshirts, but said they expect Kenyatta to be ready whenever his number is called.
