Watkins attended Tallahassee's Lincoln High School and was a part of two state titles. As a junior, he registered 126 tackles and 5 interceptions. As a senior, he tallied 140 tackles, 6 interceptions, 2 fumble recoveries and 6 kickoff returns for touchdowns. He received All-state, USA Today All-American and Parade magazine All-American honors.
College career
Watkins accepted a football scholarship from Florida State University. As a freshman, he appeared in 11 games as a backup, while making 10 tackles. As a sophomore, he appeared in all 13 games, making 62 tackles, 3 interceptions and 8 passes defensed. His first career start came in the 2004 Orange Bowl against the University of Miami. As a junior, he started in all 12 games, posting 56 tackles, 4 interceptions, 10 passes defensed, 2 forced fumbles and 2 fumble recoveries. As a senior, he appeared in all 13 games with 10 starts, registering 77 tackles and 3 interceptions. He finished his college career after playing in 49 straight games at both safety and cornerback, while recording 10 interceptions.
Professional career
Pre-draft
At the NFL Scouting Combine in February 2006, Watkins measured in at 6-foot-5 and 211 pounds, while posting a 40-yard-dash times of 4.42 seconds.
Watkins was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the fifth round of the 2006 NFL Draft. As a rookie, he appeared in 14 games with 9 starts. He registered 49 tackles, 3 interceptions, 6 passes defensed, 4 special teams tackles, 2 forced fumbles and one fumble recovery. He also became one of the tallest safeties in NFL history. He was declared inactive in the fifth and sixth games, as Keith Davis took over the starting position for the next 6 contests. He returned to action in the tenth game against the Arizona Cardinals in a backup role, making his first career interception. In 2007, he became a core special teams player as a gunner. He posted 30 tackles, one interception, 3 passes defensed, 25 special teams tackles and also returned a blocked field goal 68 yards for a touchdown against the Minnesota Vikings. He missed 2 games with an ankle injury. In 2008, he was moved from free to strong safety, but he didn't demonstrate the tackle technique needed for run support, finishing with 15 tackles, 9 special teams tackles. He missed 8 games with a neck injury and was placed on the injured reserve list on December 2. In 2009, he collected 22 tackles and 18 special teams tackles. He appeared in 13 games with one start, before spraining his left PCL in the thirteenth game. He missed the remainder of the regular season, but returned for the playoffs. On August 30, 2010, he was released after missing the first 3 preseason games with a knee injury.
San Diego Chargers
On November 15, 2010, he was signed by the San Diego Chargers, with the intention of improving their special teams. On December 16, he was placed on the injured reserve list, after re-aggravating his previous knee injury. He wasn't re-signed at the end of the season.
Toronto Argonauts (CFL)
On May 30, 2012, after being a year out of football recovering from his knee injury, he signed as a free agent with the Toronto Argonauts. He made 18 starts at right cornerback. He missed the Eastern Final and the Grey Cupchampionship game after fracturing his ankle. He finished with 67 tackles, 5 interceptions, 2 fumble recoveries and received CFL All-Star honors. In 2013, he was again named to the CFL All-Star team, after making 17 starts, 43 tackles, 5 interceptions and one fumble recovery.
Edmonton Eskimos (CFL)
On February 12, 2014, he was signed by the Edmonton Eskimos as a free agent. In 18 starts he registered 36 tackles, 7 passes defensed, 4 special teams tackles, 2 forced fumbles and one fumble recovery for a 50-yard touchdown. In 2015, he collected 66 tackles, 2 sacks and 4 interceptions. He also contributed to the team winning the Grey Cup. In 2016, he tallied 73 tackles and 2 interceptions. He wasn't re-signed after the season.
