Quez Watkins
{{Short description|American football player (born 1998)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2023}}
{{Infobox NFL biography
| name = Quez Watkins
| image = Quez Watkins Eagles NOV2022 (cropped).jpg
| caption = Watkins with the Philadelphia Eagles in 2022
| number =
| currentteam = Arizona Cardinals
| position = Wide receiver
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1998|6|9}}
| birth_place = Athens, Alabama, U.S.
| death_date =
| death_place =
| height_ft = 6
| height_in = 0
| weight_lbs = 193
| high_school = Athens
| college = Southern Miss (2016–2019)
| draftyear = 2020
| draftround = 6
| draftpick = 200
| pastteams =
- Philadelphia Eagles ({{NFL Year|2020}}–{{NFL Year|2023}})
- Pittsburgh Steelers ({{NFL Year|2024}})*
- Arizona Cardinals ({{NFL Year|2025}}–present)
| status = Active
| highlights =
- 2× First-team All-Conference USA (2018, 2019)
| statweek =
| statseason = 2024
| statlabel1 = Receptions
| statvalue1 = 98
| statlabel2 = Receiving yards
| statvalue2 = 1,249
| statlabel3 = Receiving touchdowns
| statvalue3 = 6
| statlabel4 = Return yards
| statvalue4 = 200
| pfr = W/WatkQu00
}}
Terrance "Quez" Watkins (born June 9, 1998) is an American professional football wide receiver for the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Southern Miss Golden Eagles and was selected by the Philadelphia Eagles in the sixth round of the 2020 NFL draft. He signed with Pittsburgh in 2024.
Early life
Watkins grew up in Athens, Alabama, and attended Athens High School.{{Cite web |date=March 27, 2020 |title=Athens native faced with adjustments preparing for NFL draft |url=https://www.waff.com/2020/03/27/athens-native-faced-with-adjustments-preparing-nfl-draft/ |access-date=April 22, 2020 |website=WAFF.com}} During his junior season, he returned a punt and kickoff for touchdowns in the first two games. As a senior, he was named second team 6A All-State after catching 44 passes for 847 yards and 12 touchdowns. He committed to play college football at Southern Miss over offers from Georgia Southern, Middle Tennessee State, Western Kentucky and Samford.{{Cite web |date=January 21, 2016 |title=Athens' Watkins commits to Southern Miss |url=https://www.enewscourier.com/sports/local_sports/athens-watkins-commits-to-southern-miss/article_8a03a086-c05d-11e5-9146-bf94bb1b0e57.html |access-date=April 22, 2020 |website=The News Courier}}
College career
Watkins redshirted his true freshman season.{{Cite web |last=Hinton |first=Alan |date=September 7, 2017 |title=Quez Watkins flashes skill, speed in Southern Miss debut |url=https://www.sunherald.com/sports/college/conference-usa/university-of-southern-mississippi/article171805117.html |access-date=April 22, 2020 |website=Sun Herald}} The following year he finished with 23 receptions for 337 yards and two touchdowns.{{Cite web |last=Doherty |first=Tim |date=January 3, 2018 |title=USM football's top receiver declares for NFL draft |url=https://www.wdam.com/story/37178175/usm-footballs-top-receiver-declares-for-nfl-draft/ |access-date=April 22, 2020 |website=WDAM.com}}{{Cite web |date=November 20, 2018 |title=Athens' Watkins finalist for Conerly Trophy |url=https://www.enewscourier.com/sports/local_sports/athens-watkins-finalist-for-conerly-trophy/article_9992af78-ed10-11e8-9921-ef4d372bd744.html |access-date=April 22, 2020 |website=The News Courier}} As a redshirt sophomore Watkins led the Golden Eagles with 72 receptions, 889 receiving yards and nine touchdown catches and was named First team All-Conference USA.{{Cite web |date=August 26, 2019 |title=Southern Miss football will be without its top offensive player to begin 2019 season |url=https://www.sunherald.com/sports/college/conference-usa/university-of-southern-mississippi/article234389382.html |access-date=April 22, 2020 |website=Sun Herald}} Watkins was again a first team All-Conference USA selection as a redshirt junior after catching 64 passes for 1,178 yards and six touchdowns despite missing the first two games of the season due to a suspension.{{Cite web |last=Curet |first=Taylor |date=April 17, 2020 |title=Quez Watkins on the doorstep of the NFL |url=https://www.wdam.com/2020/04/17/quez-watkins-doorstep-nfl/ |access-date=April 22, 2020 |website=WDAM.com}} Watkins announced that he would forgo his final season of NCAA eligibility to enter the 2020 NFL draft.{{Cite web |last=Taylor |first=John |date=January 4, 2020 |title=Southern Miss WR Quez Watkins declares for draft |url=https://collegefootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2020/01/04/southern-miss-quez-watkins-2020-nfl-draft/ |access-date=April 22, 2020 |website=NBC Sports}}
=College statistics=
| class="wikitable sortable"
! rowspan="2"| Year ! rowspan="2"| G ! colspan="4" |Receiving |
| Rec
!Yds !Avg !TD |
|---|
| 2017
|11 |23 |337 |14.7 |2 |
| 2018
|11 |72 |889 |12.3 |9 |
| 2019
|12 |64 |1,178 |18.4 |6 |
| Career
|34 |159 |2,404 |15.1 |17 |
Professional career
{{NFL predraft
| height ft = 6
| height in = 0 1/8
| weight = 185
| dash = 4.35
| ten split = 1.51
| twenty split = 2.55
| shuttle = 4.36
| cone drill = 7.28
| vertical = 36.5
| broad ft = 10
| broad in = 5
| arm span = 32 7/8
| hand span = 9
| wonderlic =
| note = All values from NFL Combine{{Cite web |title=Quez Watkins Draft and Combine Prospect Profile |url=https://www.nfl.com/prospects/quez-watkins/32005741-5425-6754-e1b1-afc9abed8980 |access-date=May 7, 2020 |website=NFL.com}}{{Cite web |url=https://draftscout.com/dsprofile.php?PlayerId=1018875&DraftYear=2020 |title=Quez Watkins College Football Profile |website=DraftScout.com |access-date=April 1, 2025}}
}}
=Philadelphia Eagles=
Watkins was selected by the Philadelphia Eagles in the sixth round with the 200th overall pick of the 2020 NFL Draft.{{Cite web |last=Curet |first=Taylor |date=April 26, 2020 |title=Eagles scoop speedy Watkins of Southern Miss |url=https://www.wdam.com/2020/04/26/eagles-scoop-speedy-watkins-southern-miss/ |access-date=April 26, 2020 |website=WDAM.com}} He was placed on injured reserve on September 6, 2020.{{Cite web |last=McPherson |first=Chris |date=September 6, 2020 |title=Eagles place S Will Parks and WR Quez Watkins on Injured Reserve |url=https://www.philadelphiaeagles.com/news/eagles-place-will-parks-and-quez-watkins-on-injured-reserve |access-date=December 19, 2020 |website=PhiladelphiaEagles.com}} He was designated to return from injured reserve on September 29, and began practicing with the team again.{{Cite web |last=Gallen |first=Daniel |date=September 29, 2020 |title=Philadelphia Eagles begin window for WR Quez Watkins to return to practice |url=https://www.pennlive.com/philadelphiaeagles/2020/09/philadelphia-eagles-begin-window-for-wr-quez-watkins-to-return-to-practice.html |access-date=October 8, 2020 |website=PennLive.com}} He was activated on October 10.{{Cite web |last=McPherson |first=Chris |date=October 10, 2020 |title=Roster Moves: Eagles sign DB Grayland Arnold; activate CB Craig James and WR Quez Watkins; and elevate TE Jason Croom and DB Elijah Riley |url=https://www.philadelphiaeagles.com/news/roster-moves-saturday-pre-steelers |access-date=December 19, 2020 |website=PhiladelphiaEagles.com}} In Week 15 against the Arizona Cardinals, Watkins caught three passes for 40 yards and his first career touchdown reception during the 33–26 loss.{{Cite web |title=Philadelphia Eagles at Arizona Cardinals - December 20th, 2020 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/202012200crd.htm |access-date=December 20, 2020 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} In the 2020 season, Watkins recorded seven receptions for 106 receiving yards and one receiving touchdown in six games.{{Cite web |title=Quez Watkins 2020 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/W/WatkQu00/gamelog/2020/ |access-date=March 26, 2023 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}
Watkins established himself early on in the 2021 season as the wide receiver two for the Eagles. He was placed on the COVID list on December 13, 2021.{{Cite web |last=Bowman |first=Paul |date=December 13, 2021 |title=Eagles Place Two On COVID List, Re-Sign Corner |url=https://www.sportstalkphilly.com/2021/12/eagles-place-two-on-covid-list-re-sign-corner.html |access-date=March 26, 2023 |website=SportsTalkPhilly.com}} In Week 2, against the San Francisco 49ers, he had two receptions for 117 receiving yards in the 17–11 loss.{{Cite web |title=San Francisco 49ers at Philadelphia Eagles - September 19th, 2021 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/202109190phi.htm |access-date=March 26, 2023 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} In the game, he recorded a 91-yard reception, which was the longest reception by any player in the 2021 NFL season.{{Cite web |title=2021 NFL Leaders and Leaderboards |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2021/leaders.htm |access-date=March 26, 2023 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} Watkins had a solid year in 2021, ending the campaign with 43 catches for 647 yards and one touchdown.{{cite web |title=Quez Watkins 2021 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/W/WatkQu00/gamelog/2021/ |website=Pro Football Reference |access-date=January 26, 2022}}
In the 2022 season, Watkins finished with 33 receptions for 354 receiving yards and three receiving touchdowns.{{Cite web |title=Quez Watkins 2022 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/W/WatkQu00/gamelog/2022/ |access-date=March 26, 2023 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} In 2023, the Eagles reached Super Bowl LVII against the Kansas City Chiefs. In Super Bowl LVII, Watkins had one catch for 8 yards. During the third quarter with the Eagles up by 3 points, and at the Kansas City 42 yard-line, Watkins dropped a pass that would have put the Eagles inside of the ten yard-line.{{Cite web |last=Clancy |first=Shamus |date=February 15, 2023 |title=Quez Watkins reflects on Super Bowl drop |url=https://www.phillyvoice.com/eagles-news-super-bowl-quez-watkins-drop-jalen-hurts-throw-chiefs-wide-receiver-depth-chart/ |access-date=February 15, 2023 |website=Philly Voice}} The Eagles ended up opting for a field goal, which extended their lead to six points. However, the Eagles went on to lose the game by a score of 38-35.{{Cite web |title=Super Bowl LVII - Philadelphia Eagles vs. Kansas City Chiefs - February 12th, 2023 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/202302120phi.htm |access-date=March 26, 2023 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}
=Pittsburgh Steelers=
On April 1, 2024, Watkins signed a one-year contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers.{{Cite web |last=Varley |first=Teresa |date=April 1, 2024 |title=Watkins signed to one-year contract |url=https://www.steelers.com/news/watkins-signed-to-one-year-contract |access-date=2024-12-27 |website=Steelers.com}}
During the preseason, he posted one catch for 10 yards. The Steelers then cut him ahead of the 53-man roster deadline on August 27 and re-signed him to the practice squad.{{Cite web |last=Varley |first=Teresa |date=August 27, 2024 |title=Steelers trim 2024 roster to 53 players |url=https://www.steelers.com/news/steelers-trim-2024-roster-to-53-players |access-date=2024-12-27 |website=Steelers.com}}{{Cite web |last=Varley |first=Teresa |date=August 30, 2024 |title=Steelers sign eight to practice squad |url=https://www.steelers.com/news/steelers-sign-seven-to-practice-squad |access-date=2024-12-27 |website=Steelers.com}}
=Arizona Cardinals=
On January 16, 2025, Watkins signed a reserve/future contract with the Arizona Cardinals.{{cite web|title=Cardinals Add Veteran Wide Receiver Quez Watkins|url=https://www.azcardinals.com/news/cardinals-add-veteran-receiver-quez-watkins-on-future-deal|author=Urban, Darren|website=AZCardinals.com|date=January 16, 2025}}
=Professional statistics=
==Regular season==
| class=wikitable style="text-align:center;"
! rowspan=2|Season !! rowspan=2|Team !! colspan=2|Games !! colspan=5|Receiving !! colspan=2|Fumbles | ||||||||
| GP | GS | Rec | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD | FUM | Lost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020
!PHI | 6 || 0 || 7 || 106 || 15.1 || 43 || 1 || 0 || 0 | ||||||||
| 2021
!PHI | 17 || 12 || 43 || 647 || 15.0 || 91 || 1 || 0 || 0 | ||||||||
| 2022
!PHI | 17 || 8 || 33 || 354 || 10.7 || 53 || 3 || 1 || 1 | ||||||||
| 2023
!PHI | 9 || 5 || 15 || 142 || 9.5 || 19 || 1 || 0 || 0 | ||||||||
| colspan="2" | [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/W/WatkQu00.htm Total]
! 49 || 25 || 98 || 1,249 || 12.7 || 91 || 6 || 1 || 1 |
==Playoffs==
| class=wikitable style="text-align:center;"
! rowspan=2|Season !! rowspan=2|Team !! colspan=2|Games !! colspan=5|Receiving !! colspan=2|Fumbles | ||||||||
| GP | GS | Rec | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD | FUM | Lost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | PHI
| 1 || 0 || 2 || 35 || 17.5 || 35 || 0 || 0 || 0 | |||||||
| 2022 | PHI
| 3 || 1 || 1 || 8 || 8.0 || 8 || 0 || 0 || 0 | |||||||
| 2023 | PHI
| 1 || 0 || 3 || 12 || 4.0 || 6 || 0 || 0 || 0 | |||||||
| colspan="2" | [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/W/WatkQu00/gamelog/post/ Total]
! 5 | 1 | 6 | 55 | 9.2 | 35 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
{{Commons}}
{{footballstats|pfr=W/WatkQu00|nfl=quez-watkins|yahoo=32870|espn=4050373}}
- [https://www.azcardinals.com/team/players-roster/quez-watkins/ Arizona Cardinals bio]
- [https://southernmiss.com/sports/football/roster/quez-watkins/5960 Southern Miss Golden Eagles bio]
{{Eagles2020DraftPicks}}
{{Arizona Cardinals roster navbox}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Watkins, Quez}}
Category:Players of American football from Alabama
Category:Sportspeople from Athens, Alabama
Category:American football wide receivers
Category:Southern Miss Golden Eagles football players
Category:Philadelphia Eagles players