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Ole Miss signee Winston Watkins Jr. named to national all-american team

GGtKuYqW4AAo-ITby:Zach Berry•01/06/25•

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Syndication: The News-Press
Winston Watkins Jr., a wide receiver for Venice High School announced he will play football for Ole Miss on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024. The Fort Myers native held his announcement party at the Stars Complex in Fort Myers.

Ole Miss wide receiver signee Winston Watkins Jr., was honored Monday by MaxPreps’ Zack Poff. The four-star prospect was named to the national all-american team. Watkins made the Second Team as a wide receiver.

Watkins did it all in 2024 at Venice (Fla.), playing multiple positions for the 7A state champs. He grabbed 94 receptions for 1,151 yards and 17 touchdowns. Watkins also added 22 carries for 110 yards and eight more scores at running back. He even lined up on defense, making 24 tackles and snagging two interceptions.

After early commitments to Texas A&M and Colorado, Watkins took his recruitment the distance and is now headed to Ole Miss for his college career. Alabama, Georgia and Indiana were finalists.

According to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average which utilizes all four major recruiting media companies, Winston Watkins is the No. 271 overall prospect in the country, No. 38 wide receiver in the nation and the 40th-best prospect in Florida.

Ole Miss expects Winston Watkins Jr., to come in and be a difference maker.

Ole Miss is selling the No. 271 overall player in the On3 Industry Ranking on being the next Elijah Moore in Lane Kiffin‘s offense. The idea of it certainly got Watkins’ interest and helped seal the deal on signing day.

“They were just telling me how they would get me the ball in space and how I could make plays at Ole Miss,” Watkins said. “I could be a big-time playmaker there.

“The ultimate goal and ultimate level is the NFL. Ole Miss can get me there,” Watkins said. “I was talking to coach McDonald about it. I believe in him and think he can help me get there.”

He said one of the biggest takeaways from his time at Ole Miss is the people.

“You can tell the people are genuine, they all have good spirits. I loved the coaching staff,” Watkins said. “The coaching staff loves to compete, it’s a very good environment.”

Watkins will compete in the 2025 Navy All-American January 11. He will be joined by 2025 Ole Miss signee Shekai Mills-Knight.

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