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We've got 99 problems but a countdown ain't one. The countdown train is just gaining steam and incoming frosh Jabari Watson is today's guest conductor.
#99, Jabari Watson, True Freshman, DT
Stats
Height: 6'2"
Weight: 255 lbs
High School: Summit High School, Fontana, CA
How'd he get to the Blue™?
By spurning RichRod (extra brownie points to Mr. Watson). Watson was recruited by the Broncos for months before he made the decision to Bear Down instead of Bronco up last October. Shortly thereafter, however Watson was all:
and reopened his commitment. "Reopened" being a rather generous term as Boise State, the 2nd place finisher in the initial Watson sweepstakes jumped right to the top of his list. Watson kept his commitment quiet for the few remaining months until signing day, and therefore gave the Bronco fans a nice little "surprise" in early February.
At Summit High school (home of Mr. Donte Deayon), Watson came in like a wrecking ball, wracking up 85 tackles, 19 tackles-for-loss, and 9 sacks in his final campaign and garnering first-team All-Sunkist League, first-team All-CIF and San Bernadino Sun All-Area honors for his efforts. After his final season, Watson was also selected to the Inland Valley Football Classic Eastern All-Star team. As a junior—playing for Rancho Cucamonga—Watson chipped in 72 tackles and 6.5 sacks en route to all-area and all-league awards. As a soph, Watson was honorable mention all-league. Watson obviously chose the Broncos, but had offers from Arizona (obvs), Fresno State, Nevada, UNM, SDSU, and Utah State.
Nickname
"Doctor"
How did I come up with this nickname? Elementary.
Look-a-like
Warren Sapp? Stumped on day 2...this bodes well.
Career Highlights
First-team All-Sunkist League, First-team All-CIF and San Bernadino Sun All-Area as a senior. Named to the Inland Valley Football Classic Eastern All-Star team following senior campaign. All-league honors as a junior as well as first-team All-Baseline League recognition as a junior. Earned honorable mention all-league honors as a soph. Two-time Scholar-Athlete Award winner and four year honor roll member.
2016 Prospectus
Like yesterday's highlightee, Chase Hatada, Watson seems destined for early playing time. We'll beat this dead horse heading into the season, but the D-line is currently a tad light...not on girth but on depth. Watson could potentially line up at DE or DT and his production in high school leads one to believe he could star at either position. Coach Pitman shouldn't have much trouble stacking some good weight on Watson and should be able to keep his quickness as well. I think Watson could well jump into the D-line mix as early as September. Boise State landed a real haul this past class on the D-line and where they could have just settled for warm bodies given the current state of the depth chart, they swung for the fences. Hatada, Watson, Fesili, and Weaver all appear to be Pac-12 caliber players and while there is a considerable experience gap that must be closed, once it is...look out. I'm getting a cold chill thinking about what some of this incoming talent can do in a few seasons once they are...well...seasoned. Don't be surprised to see Mr. Watson make a push this Fall for PT—he's got a high ceiling and has enough fizzy lifting drink to approach it quickly (yes, that was a Willy Wonka reference—watch out for the fans).
Is he on Twitter?
Finished with a 3.4
— yt_JB6 (@JabariWatson) May 12, 2016
Yup. Smart too
Completely made up fact
Watson is 1/32nd Cherokee. It's not enough to land him cushy scholarships, but he does enjoy short lines on 1/32nd Cherokee Day at Disneyland.
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