JELANI WATKINS COULD BE CONSIDERED QUIET TO THE OUTSIDE WORLD, BUT HIS ACTIONS ARE LIKE A BULLHORN.
The Klein Forest junior exploded onto scene when he arrived at the north Houston campus on the track and the football field.
“I just keep my head down and go to work,” he said. “I put my headphones on when I get to a track meet. I know people are looking at me, but I don’t pay attention to it.”
People have a reason to look.
As a freshman, he placed sixth in State in the 200-meters. As a sophomore he won gold at State in the 200-meters and led the 4x200 relay team. He’s only getting better because he is quietly going about his work.
“After my freshman year, I told myself that I would be back and that I would win it,” he said. “My coaches helped me get there. They preached the weight room, so I got more serious about it. They were right.”
His prowess on the track translates to the football field. They are woven together.
“I’ve always been a competitor and you have to be very competitive in both sports,” he said. “Track helps so much with my speed and hip mobility. Football keeps me in the weight room to get stronger.”
The 5-foot-10, Four-Star receiver has become a national recruit. The first team, all-district selection has college offers from across the country. He’s witnessed the recruiting process first-hand, seeing his older brother, Ahmonte Watkins, sign with TCU and now start at New Mexico State.
“The goal is to do both in college,” he said. “I’m looking for a place where I can see myself fitting in for three to four years and having good people around me. I’m big on that. I want to see what the players are like and what they like about the school, during my visits.”
One school has emerged early… LSU.
“My parents were athletes from Laplace, Louisiana. That is where we came from,” he said. “What makes it home is the food… mostly the crawfish. When I’m watching football, I’m watching (LSU’s) Odell Beckham, Jamar Chase and Justin Jefferson.”
While he has a bright future, he is firmly planted where his feet are.
“I’ve got goals this year,” he said. “I want to run at 10.1 (100-yard dash), a 20.3 (200-yard dash) and a 1.22 in the 4x200-yard relay. In football, I want to have over 1,000 yards receiving.”
When he’s not on the fields of play, Watkins is watching Outer Banks on Netflix, listening to NBA YoungBoy and hanging with his little brother playing video games.
“I’m big on family,” he said. “I give my little brother a lot of advice and like hanging out with him. I want to be successful in something so my mom doesn’t have to work.”
When asked which he covets most – a Super Bowl or an Olympic medal?
“Wow, that’s tough,” he said after contemplating. “It would have to be a Super Bowl.”
