Player Bio
Watson has been one of the most explosive receivers at the FCS level since getting on the field at NDSU out of Plant High School in Tampa. As a redshirt freshman, he helped the Bison win yet another national title by contributing in 14 games (9-165-18.3 receiving; two starts). Watson was a second-team All-Missouri Valley Football Conference selection in 2019, leading the eventual national champs with 34 receptions for 732 yards (ranking fourth in the FCS with 21.5 yards per reception) while scoring six times in 16 games (11 starts; also 13-162-12.5, one TD rushing; 4-70-17.5 kick returns). He was a first-team All-MVFC selection at receiver (19-442-23.3, one TD receiving: 21-116-5.5 rushing) and a second-team return specialist (10-338-33.8, two TD kick returns) in 2020, playing in 10 games with eight starts between the team's lone game in the fall and its 2021 spring schedule. Watson garnered second-team Associated Press FCS All-American accolades (43-801-18.6, seven TDs receiving; 15-114-7.6, one TD rushing; 10-227-22.7 kick returns in 12 games, 10 starts) in 2021, as well as a first-team all-conference nod. He missed the team's first three playoff games before starting in the national title game victory over Montana State. Christian's father, Tazim Wajid Wajed (formerly Tim Watson), was a defensive back at Howard and had a five-year NFL career (1993-97). His brother, Tre, played linebacker at two Big Ten Schools (Illinois, Maryland) and in the XFL, and his uncle, Cedric, played football at Marshall. -- by Chad Reuter
Overview
A receiver prospect with intriguing measurables and a strong belief in the team aspect of the game, Watson possesses an alluring combination of size and speed. He showed off improved route running and catch strength in 2021. He is much more gifted than his opposition was at NDSU and needs to prove he can elevate his game against bigger, faster players at the next level. He plays hard and fast but needs to add a few more pounds and learn to impose his frame on the coverage. He's a field-stretching option requiring a linear route tree and projects as a capable WR3/4 with more work.Strengths
- Father played safety in the NFL.
- Very good blend of size, speed and length.
- Touchdown production through air, ground and return game.
- Plays fast from snap to whistle.
- Displays foot quickness for take-off versus press.
- Added some route polish in 2021.
- Leverages defender's hips before cutting the opposite way.
- Maintains acceleration through route stem.
- Effective separation talent in linear route tree.
- Improved hand strength on contested catches in 2021.
Weaknesses
- Mirror-and-match corners can trace short to intermediate routes.
- Lacks deep bend for sudden sink and stop.
- Needs excess steps into the top of the break point.
- Occasionally mistimes leaps to the throw.
- Catch focus is below average.
- Needs to impose his size on coverage when the ball goes up.
Sources Tell Us
"I love the kid. ... He's going to be great in the locker room and work his tail off every day." -- Scout for AFC team
