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Louisville wide receiver Jordan Watkins to transfer to Ole Miss

GGtKuYqW4AAo-ITby:Zach Berry•12/21/21•

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Jordan Watkins
(Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

It didn’t take long for Jordan Watkins to get into the NCAA Transfer Portal. The Louisville, Ky., prospect announced he was leaving Louisville a few days removed from their final regular season game against Kentucky and now he has committed to the Ole Miss Rebels.

The 5-foot-11, 175 pound wideout chose the Rebels over notable offers from Florida State, Memphis and West Virginia. As a Cardinal, Watkins ended his career with 920 all-purpose yards and five total touchdowns. In 2021, he finished the year with 35 receptions for 529 yards and four touchdowns.

Watkins officially visited Oxford, Miss., a few weeks ago, meeting with head coach Lane Kiffin and wide receivers coach Derrick Nix. He spoke with OMSpirit’s Ben Garrett about the trip.

“Visit was good,” Watkins said. “I had a great time here, the campus is beautiful. I loved the place. It’s just a special place to be in Oxford. Very small city, so there isn’t anything to do but football here. I had a great time.”

The former ACC receiver pointed towards the head coach’s reputation and his identity as an offensive play caller and developer of talent.

“Looking at Lane Kiffin’s record as far as receivers go, that’s kind of very intriguing,” he said. “He puts a lot of receivers in the NFL, the most recent one being Elijah Moore. Fitting into his position and things like that, that’s probably what I liked a lot about Ole Miss as far as fit-wise.”

Here’s what I wrote a few weeks ago about Watkins’ game:

Watkins is a dynamic slot receiver option. The 4.38 40-yard dash runner lined up all over the place for Louisville during his two years, playing slot, wideout and taking some pop passes and reverse handoffs, too.

The Rebels had to improvise and do it on the inside by committee this year after Elijah Moore scorched the SEC in 2020. But if Watkins were to end up at Ole Miss, the offense wouldn’t have to look too far for answers.

He has plenty of wiggle to his game to go along with his straight-line speed. He’s also a good enough route-runner to make opponents miss in small space and to create an opening with his quickness in and out of cuts.

Watkins will be a sophomore when he arrives next month and figures to be an immediate contributor in the slot and the return game for Ole Miss.

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