Middies’ Watkins commits to BGSU

QB says he likes location close to home.

File photo Middletown quarterback Caleb Watkins decided late Friday, July 3, to continue his football career at Bowling Green State University.

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By Skip Weaver, Staff Writer Updated 10:13 PM Saturday, July 4, 2009

MIDDLETOWN — In 2010, Caleb Watkins may once again have Chip Robinson and Blaec Walker as his protectors.

That’s because the Middletown High School quarterback verbally committed to Bowling Green State University late Friday night, July 3, which is where the two former Middies are offensive linemen.

“It’s a good school and close to home where I can be with my family almost every weekend,” Watkins said of the Division I school that competes in the Mid-American Conference. “I’ll also have the opportunity to compete for the starting job as a freshman. That’s very important.”

Watkins (6-foot-4, 205 pounds) was the leading passer in the Greater Miami Conference each of the last two seasons. As a sophomore, he threw for 2,045 yards and 26 touchdowns. Last season, he threw for 2,089 yards and 22 TDs.

“Bowling Green has been high on his list for a while,” MHS coach Jason Krause said. “We’ve been talking a lot the last two weeks. The quarterback situation there will be wide open when he is a freshman, and I think that opportunity made them more valuable to him.”

Watkins also received offers from other MAC schools such as Ohio University, Kent State, Northern Illinois, Ball State and most recently Central Michigan.

Krause said there were several other schools that had Watkins high on their boards.

“I know he worked out for Purdue last Sunday,” Krause said. “The coach called me and said he had a great workout, but Caleb liked BG enough to go ahead and get this done. I’m not surprised at all that he made a commitment already.”

Watkins is the second Middie to announce his verbal commitment to a Division I school in recent weeks. Running back Antonio Banks committed to the Big Ten’s Indiana University on June 20.

“I learned so much from them already when I went to their camp,” Watkins said, speaking specifically of the Falcons’ new quarterback coach Warren Ruggiero. “He was at Kansas State last year and coached Josh Freeman, who was the 17th overall pick in the NFL Draft by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers this year. I know I’ll learn a lot more in four years there.

“But now, I can focus on my senior year,” he continued. “My main goal is for us to make the playoffs. It’s been a long time since Middletown has done that.”

The last time the Middies reached the playoffs was in 1990, a year before Watkins was born.

Contact this reporter at (513) 705-2852 or sweaver@coxohio.com.

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Ok, Caleb may live in Middletown, and he maybe the first person to go to college in his family, but who cares, atleast he is going somewhere with his life. And yes he does have a child, but the reason why he is going to a closer college rather then a big 10 school which is further away is because of his son, he is a great father to his son. Stop hating because he is an amazing football player, I have faith that Caleb will do great in college. What he does in his free time is no ones business.

football fan
12:52 AM, 9/19/2009

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first of all you guys need to lay off these young men who is trying to be successful.... I have never seen a bunch of people who is so negative about the young people who represent your city. Instead of always trying to tear them down why not try to help and build them up. Just because someone comes from a poor neighbor hood don't make them bad people. If you don't have anything good to say don't say anything. Good luck Caleb let's keep praying for these young men and women

middiemom
3:39 PM, 7/12/2009

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Caleb is a punk. He lives in the white getto and he's probably the first person in his family to even attempt to go to College.

Can you believe he already has a child????

As for BG he probably wont even finish high school. I predict he'll drop out after football season is over.

yo
10:43 AM, 7/7/2009

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I think Caleb's a great player. Combines size and strength with outstanding speed, mechanics, accuracy and mental skills. He's a great dropback passer with a nice sense of timing, placing balls in tight spots. Last year he fumbled in too many critical situations which lost ball games. And I think Purdue would have been a better fit even if he doesn't start right away.

National High School Ranking
4:07 PM, 7/5/2009

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Caleb be like DJ all him wantsta do is chase crac hoes an get pooneytang

jamall
3:53 PM, 7/5/2009

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