Duece Watts Explained

Duece Watts
Current Team:Pittsburgh Steelers
Number:85
Position:Wide receiver
Birth Date:23 December 1999
Birth Place:Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
Height Ft:6
Height In:1
Weight Lbs:196
High School:Petal
(Petal, Mississippi)
Undraftedyear:2023
Pastteams:
Status:Active
Pfr:WattDu00

Natorian "Duece" Watts (born December 23, 1999) is an American professional football wide receiver for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Jones College and Tulane.

Early life

Watts was born in Chicago, Illinois, but moved to Richton, Mississippi at the age of four.[1] He initially attended Richton High School, where he played football with his twin brother Nataurean “Phat” Watts.[2] After their sophomore year, Watts and his brother transferred to Petal High School where he played with future Tulane teammate Stephon Huderson.[3] Over his high school career, Watts played in 47 games and amassed 55 yards on 9 carries, 2,346 and 28 touchdowns on 119 receptions, 72 total tackles, and 1 interception.[4]

College career

Jones College

Watts was rated as a 2-star recruit leaving high school.[5] After graduating, Watts began his collegiate career at Jones County Junior College.[6] At Jones, he played with Tulane linebacker Nick Anderson. He played for a total of 22 games across the 2018 and 2019 seasons.[7] [8] [9] Throughout his time at Jones he amassed 1 rush for 13 yards, 47 receptions for 702 yards and 5 touchdowns, 7 kick returns for 196 yards, and 1 tackle.

Tulane

Watts committed to play at Tulane for the 2020 season on June 7, 2019.[10] During the 2020 season, Watts made an immediate impact, as he started all 12 games. He led the team in receptions, receiving yards, and average yards per catch. The next season, Watts contributed 331 yards and 3 touchdown on 21 receptions. During his senior season, Watts had 33 receptions for 657 yards and 8 touchdown.[11] Watts then caught 2 passes for 83 yards to help the Green Wave to a Cotton Bowl victory over reigning Heisman Trophy winner Caleb Williams and the USC Trojans.[12] [13]

College statistics

SeasonGPReceivingRushingReturningTackles
RecYdsAvgLngTDAttYdsAvgLngTDRetYdsAvgLngTDSoloAstTot
Jones College Bobcats
2018122328612.45930000000000101
2019102441617.355211313130720929.9430000
Tulane Green Wave
2020123151216.55261222000000000
2021122133115.84730000000000000
2022132956419.47371111000000101
NJCAA career224770214.959511313130720929.9430101
FBS career3781140717.47316231.53000000101
Career59128210916.573213165.3130720929.9430202

Professional career

Green Bay Packers

After going undrafted at the 2023 NFL draft, Watts was signed by the Green Bay Packers on May 1, 2023.[14] [15] [16] He was waived on August 29, 2023.[17]

Pittsburgh Steelers

Watts was signed to the Pittsburgh Steelers practice squad on September 20, 2023.[18] On January 17, 2024, he signed a reserve/futures contract with the Steelers.[19]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Kemp . Jacob . Brothers & teammates: Watts twins find success at Petal . April 30, 2023 . Hattiesburg American . en-US.
  2. News: Petro . Camal . September 12, 2017 . Watts Finds Home at Running Back . The Pine Belt News . April 30, 2023.
  3. Web site: Duece Watts – Football . April 30, 2023 . Tulane University Athletics . en.
  4. Web site: Natorian Watts' (Richton, MS) High School Football Stats . April 30, 2023 . maxpreps.com . en.
  5. Web site: Natorian Watts, Petal, Wide Receiver . April 30, 2023 . 247Sports . en-US.
  6. Web site: Curet . Taylor . August 16, 2019 . The Watts brothers – a dynamic duo for Jones College . April 30, 2023 .
  7. Web site: Duece Watts Stats . April 30, 2023 . The Football Database.
  8. Web site: Natorian Watts – 2019 – Football . April 30, 2023 . Jones College Athletics . en.
  9. Web site: Three former Bobcats will get their shot in National Football League . 2023-05-14 . Jones College Athletics . April 29, 2023 . en.
  10. Web site: Natorian Watts – Football Recruiting – Player Profiles – ESPN . April 30, 2023 . ESPN.
  11. Web site: Duece Watts Stats, News, Bio . April 30, 2023 . ESPN . en.
  12. Web site: Edmonds . Charlotte . Tulane Stuns USC With Dramatic Comeback Win in Cotton Bowl . 2023-05-14 . NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth . January 2, 2023 . en-US.
  13. Web site: Tulane Rolls to Epic Win Over USC in 87th Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic . 2023-05-14 . Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic . en.
  14. Web site: Packers agree to terms with 12 rookie free agents. packers.com. May 1, 2023. May 1, 2023.
  15. Web site: Boynton . Eric . 2023-05-01 . Packers sign 12 undrafted free agents . 2023-05-14 . WBAY . en.
  16. Web site: Matt LaFleur says Packers could add veteran, but is comfortable letting young WR corps compete for now . 2023-05-14 . NFL.com . en-US.
  17. Web site: Packers announce roster moves. Packers.com. August 29, 2023.
  18. Web site: Steelers make additional roster moves. Varley, Teresa. Steelers.com. September 20, 2023.
  19. Web site: Steelers sign 17 to Reserve/Future contracts. January 17, 2024. January 17, 2024. Teresa. Varley. Steelers.com.