Darius Watts: Difference between revisions

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|birthplace =Atlanta, Georgia
|birthplace =Atlanta, Georgia
|heightft =6
|heightft =6
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|weight =185
|weight =190
|debutyear =2008
|debutyear =2008
|debutteam =Philadelphia Soul
|debutteam =Philadelphia Soul
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|status =Active
|status =Active
|highlights =<nowiki></nowiki>
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* 2x First-team All-[[Mid-America Conference|MAC]] selection ([[2001 NCAA Division I-A football season|2001]] - [[2002 NCAA Division I-A football season|2002]])
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* [[ArenaBowl]] champion ([[ArenaBowl XXII|XXII]])
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|statlabel1 =
|statweek =17
|statvalue1 =
|statseason =2008
|statlabel2 =
|statlabel1 =[[Reception (American football)|Receptions]]
|statvalue2 =
|statvalue1 =38
|statlabel3 =
|statlabel2 =Receiving yards
|statvalue3 =
|statvalue2 =376
|statlabel3 =[[Touchdown]]s
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|afl =
|afl =1388601
|pfr =
|cbs =493109
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'''Darius Orlando Watts''' (born [[December 19]], [[1981]] in [[Atlanta, Georgia]]) is an [[American football]] [[wide receiver]] who previously played in the [[National Football League]]. He now currently plays in the [[Arena Football League]].
'''Darius Orlando Watts''' (born [[December 19]], [[1981]] in [[Atlanta, Georgia]]) is an [[arena football]] [[offensive specialist]] for the [[Philadelphia Soul]] of the [[Arena Football League]]. He was originally drafted by the [[Denver Broncos]] in the second round (54th overall) of the [[2004 NFL Draft]].


In his career, Watts has also played for the [[New York Giants]]. He is also an [[ArenaBowl]] champion, with the [[2008 Philadelphia Soul season|2008 Philadelphia Soul]] whom one [[ArenaBowl XXII]] by a score of 59-56 over the [[San Jose SaberCats]].
⚫
==College career==
Watts attended [[Marshall University]] and finished his career with 272 receptions for 4,031 yards (14.8 yards per reception avg.), and 47 touchdowns. He was the squad captain as a junior and a senior. Watts ranks fifth in [[Division I-A]] history for receptions in a career, and second for touchdowns in a career. Darius also rushed 21 times for 188 yards (8.95 yards per carry average), and returned 15 kickoffs for 254 yards (16.9 yards per kick return average).


==High school and college careers==
==NFL career==
Watts was a four-year [[letterman]] in [[High school football|football]] at [[Banneker High School]], as well as in [[basketball]] and [[Track and field|track]]. He was first given the nickname of "Spider" from his high school teammates, and the name has stuck with him through college and into the pros.
⚫
Watts was chosen in the 2nd Round as the 22nd pick (54th overall) by the [[Denver Broncos]] in the [[2004 NFL Draft]].


Watts played 48 career games at [[Marshall University|Marshall]], he recorded 272 [[Reception (American football)|receptions]] for 4,031 yards (14.8 avg.) and 47 [[touchdown]]s. His 272 career receptions ranked fifth all-time in [[NCAA Division I-A]] history and were a [[Mid-American Conference]] record while only [[Troy Edwards]] of [[Louisiana Tech]] (50 in 1996-98) had more touchdown receptions in a career in NCAA Division I-A history than Watts' MAC-record 47 career touchdowns. Additionally, his 4,031 career receiving yards were topped only by [[Mike Barber]] (4,262, 1985-88) in school history.
===2004===
⚫
During his [[rookie]] season Watts caught 31 passes for 385 yards and 1 TD for an average of 14.8 ypc. He played in all 16 games, [[Starting lineup|starting]] two. Watts carried the ball 5 times for 33 yards and recorded 1 tackle as well.


In [[2000 NCAA Division I-A football season|2000]], Watts was one of only two true freshmen to play for Marshall, starting four games to record 36 catches for 616 yards (17.1 avg.) with six touchdowns. He earned First-team All-MAC honors in [[2001 NCAA Division I-A football season|2001]] as a sophomore, and was one of 11 semifinalists for the Biletnikoff Award, recording career-highs in receptions (91) and receiving yards (1,417), a 15.6 yards-per-reception average, along with an NCAA-high 18 touchdowns that ranked third on the school's single-season list. His 91 receptions ranked fourth all-time in school history for a single-season, and he recorded the most catches in a season since Marshall returned to Division I-A competition by passing the 90 receptions by [[Randy Moss]] in 1997. He tied for the second-most receptions in MAC history, his yardage total was third best and his touchdown total tied him for the second best in MAC history as well. As a junior in [[2002 NCAA Division I-A football season|2002]], he was preseason All-America selection. He also earned First-team All-MAC honors with 71 receptions for 1,030 yards (14.7 avg.) and 12 touchdowns and became the MAC's All-Time touchdown receptions leader. As a senior in [[2003 NCAA Division I-A football season|2003]], he Watts was a team capitan for the second consecutive season and he recorded 74 receptions for 968 yards (13.1 avg.) and 11 touchdowns. While at Marshall, Watts drew many comparisons to former Marshall receiver Randy Moss.
===2005===
After an impressive first season Watts soon found himself under [[head coach]] [[Mike Shanahan]] and recorded only 2 catches for 22 yards. Watts was inactive for the team's final 10 games.


⚫
==Professional career==
===2006===
===National Football League (2004 - 2007)===
After another inconsistent pre-season the Broncos released Watts on [[September 2]], [[2006]].
⚫
Watts was chosen in the [[2004 NFL Draft#Round two|second round (54th overall)]] by the [[Denver Broncos]] in the [[2004 NFL Draft]].
The [[New York Giants]] signed him to their [[practice squad]] and signed him to the team after the New York Giants lost to the [[New Orleans Saints]] on [[2006 New York Giants season#Week 16: vs. New Orleans Saints|December 24, 2006]].


⚫
As a [[rookie]] in [[2004 NFL season|2004]], Watts caught 31 passes for 385 yards and one touchdown for an average of 14.8 ypc. He played in all 16 games, [[Starting lineup|starting]] two. Watts carried the ball five times for 33 yards and recorded one tackle as well. In 2004 he tied for the fifth-most receptions by a rookie in Broncos history.
===2007===
The Giants re-signed Watts for the [[2007 New York Giants season|2007 season]] on [[March 23]], [[2007]].<ref>[http://www.nfl.com/nflnetwork/story/10033511 NFL.COM Tracking the Comings and Goings (2007 Offseason)]</ref>


After an impressive first season and recorded only two receptions for 22 yards. He was inactive for the team's final 10 games. After another inconsistent pre-season the Broncos released him on September 2, [[2006 NFL season|2006]]. The [[New York Giants]] signed him to their [[practice squad]] and signed him to the team after the they lost to the [[New Orleans Saints]] on December 24, 2006. The Giants re-signed him for the [[2007 New York Giants season|2007 season]] on March 23, 2007.<ref>[http://www.nfl.com/nflnetwork/story/10033511 NFL.COM Tracking the Comings and Goings (2007 Offseason)]</ref> He was released by the Giants on July 20, 2007.
Watts was released from the Giants on [[July 20]], [[2007]].


==Arena Football League==
==AFL==
Watts signed with the [[Philadelphia Soul]] on Thursday January 31, 2008. As a rookie in the [[Arena Football League]], he recorded 38 receptions for 376 yards and five touchdowns. He also won his first championship at the professional level when the Soul defeated the [[San Jose SaberCats]] 59-56 in [[ArenaBowl XXII]]. Ironically, Watts wasn't the only person on the Soul team to have a connection to the state of [[West Virginia]], where he attended Marshall University. He along with [[Fullback (American football)|fullback]] / [[linebacker]] [[Wes Ours]], and [[head coach]] [[Bret Munsey]]. Ours was an All-American fullback at [[West Virginia Mountaineers football|West Virginia University]], Munsey was born in [[Charleston, West Virginia]] and attended, played, ''and'' coached at [[Concord College]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://wvgazette.com/Sports/200807230701 |title=Munsey: 'Soul Man' for West Virginia |last=Ryan |first=Rick |work=WVGazzette.com |publisher=Charleston Gazzette |date=2008-07-24 |accessdate=2008-09-20}}</ref>
===2008===

The Philadelphia Soul signed Darius Watts on Thursday [[January 31]], [[2008]].
==Personal==
He is also the son of Yukon and Joanna Watts.


==Notes==
==Notes==
{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* [http://www.philadelphiasoul.com/team/roster/players/index.html?player_id=71 Philadelphia Soul profile]
* [http://www.denverbroncos.com/page.php?id=498&contentID=2430 Denver Broncos profile]
* [http://www.arenafan.com/players/Darius_Watts-10768/ Stats at ArenaFan]
* [http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/football/nfl/players/6813/index.html New York Giants profile] at [[Sports Illustrated]].com
* [http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/W/WattDa00.htm Stats] at [[Pro Football Reference]]


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[[Category:Denver Broncos players]]
[[Category:Denver Broncos players]]
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Revision as of 17:07, 20 September 2008

Darius Watts
Philadelphia Soul
Career information
College:Marshall
Career history
Roster status:Active
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics as of Week 17, 2008
Receptions:38
Receiving yards:376
Touchdowns:5
Player stats at ArenaFan.com

Darius Orlando Watts (born December 19, 1981 in Atlanta, Georgia) is an arena football offensive specialist for the Philadelphia Soul of the Arena Football League. He was originally drafted by the Denver Broncos in the second round (54th overall) of the 2004 NFL Draft.

In his career, Watts has also played for the New York Giants. He is also an ArenaBowl champion, with the 2008 Philadelphia Soul whom one ArenaBowl XXII by a score of 59-56 over the San Jose SaberCats.

High school and college careers

Watts was a four-year letterman in football at Banneker High School, as well as in basketball and track. He was first given the nickname of "Spider" from his high school teammates, and the name has stuck with him through college and into the pros.

Watts played 48 career games at Marshall, he recorded 272 receptions for 4,031 yards (14.8 avg.) and 47 touchdowns. His 272 career receptions ranked fifth all-time in NCAA Division I-A history and were a Mid-American Conference record while only Troy Edwards of Louisiana Tech (50 in 1996-98) had more touchdown receptions in a career in NCAA Division I-A history than Watts' MAC-record 47 career touchdowns. Additionally, his 4,031 career receiving yards were topped only by Mike Barber (4,262, 1985-88) in school history.

In 2000, Watts was one of only two true freshmen to play for Marshall, starting four games to record 36 catches for 616 yards (17.1 avg.) with six touchdowns. He earned First-team All-MAC honors in 2001 as a sophomore, and was one of 11 semifinalists for the Biletnikoff Award, recording career-highs in receptions (91) and receiving yards (1,417), a 15.6 yards-per-reception average, along with an NCAA-high 18 touchdowns that ranked third on the school's single-season list. His 91 receptions ranked fourth all-time in school history for a single-season, and he recorded the most catches in a season since Marshall returned to Division I-A competition by passing the 90 receptions by Randy Moss in 1997. He tied for the second-most receptions in MAC history, his yardage total was third best and his touchdown total tied him for the second best in MAC history as well. As a junior in 2002, he was preseason All-America selection. He also earned First-team All-MAC honors with 71 receptions for 1,030 yards (14.7 avg.) and 12 touchdowns and became the MAC's All-Time touchdown receptions leader. As a senior in 2003, he Watts was a team capitan for the second consecutive season and he recorded 74 receptions for 968 yards (13.1 avg.) and 11 touchdowns. While at Marshall, Watts drew many comparisons to former Marshall receiver Randy Moss.

Professional career

National Football League (2004 - 2007)

Watts was chosen in the second round (54th overall) by the Denver Broncos in the 2004 NFL Draft.

As a rookie in 2004, Watts caught 31 passes for 385 yards and one touchdown for an average of 14.8 ypc. He played in all 16 games, starting two. Watts carried the ball five times for 33 yards and recorded one tackle as well. In 2004 he tied for the fifth-most receptions by a rookie in Broncos history.

After an impressive first season and recorded only two receptions for 22 yards. He was inactive for the team's final 10 games. After another inconsistent pre-season the Broncos released him on September 2, 2006. The New York Giants signed him to their practice squad and signed him to the team after the they lost to the New Orleans Saints on December 24, 2006. The Giants re-signed him for the 2007 season on March 23, 2007.[1] He was released by the Giants on July 20, 2007.

Arena Football League

Watts signed with the Philadelphia Soul on Thursday January 31, 2008. As a rookie in the Arena Football League, he recorded 38 receptions for 376 yards and five touchdowns. He also won his first championship at the professional level when the Soul defeated the San Jose SaberCats 59-56 in ArenaBowl XXII. Ironically, Watts wasn't the only person on the Soul team to have a connection to the state of West Virginia, where he attended Marshall University. He along with fullback / linebacker Wes Ours, and head coach Bret Munsey. Ours was an All-American fullback at West Virginia University, Munsey was born in Charleston, West Virginia and attended, played, and coached at Concord College.[2]

Personal

He is also the son of Yukon and Joanna Watts.

Notes

  1. ^ NFL.COM Tracking the Comings and Goings (2007 Offseason)
  2. ^ Ryan, Rick (2008-07-24). "Munsey: 'Soul Man' for West Virginia". WVGazzette.com. Charleston Gazzette. Retrieved 2008-09-20.

External links

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Darius_Watts&oldid=239814744"