4-star safety Tamarion Watkins names final five schools
Five schools remain in the race to land a commitment from Rock Hill (S.C.) Northwestern four-star safety Tamarion Watkins, one of the top prospects in the Palmetto State.
The 6-foot-4 defensive back announced on Sunday that Alabama, Georgia, Miami, South Carolina and Texas A&M are his final five:
Watkins is the No. 335 overall prospect and No. 29 safety in the 2026 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He’s also the No. 8 player in South Carolina.
The in-state Gamecocks are currently trending to keep Watkins home, according to the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine. He was back in Columbia this weekend and has also locked in an official visit for the weekend of June 20.
“Since I’ve been offered, South Carolina has made me feel like a priority, which is great. I love how coach Beamer and coach Gray stay in touch with me as well,” Watkins told On3’s Chad Simmons in January.
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Georgia also has an OV scheduled for June 6. Visits and relationships will play a key role in helping Watkins come to his eventual decision.
“Before I commit, I need to know that the place is going to be a true home for me and the best place for me and my family,” Watkins said. “The relationships will be important to me. I want to be around good people around me at school. Another thing is development. My goal is to get to the NFL, so I want to be at a school that will push me to that.”
Miami offered earlier this month on April 2. The likes of Texas A&M, Alabama, Florida, Florida State and Kentucky have also offered the defensive back throughout his recruitment.
As a junior for Northwestern, Watkins tallied 75 total tackles and three interceptions, per MaxPreps. The Trojans went 14-0 in 2024, winning a state title and finishing as the No. 40 team in the nation, according to the On3 Composite Rankings.