Brandon Watts

Brandon Watts

refer to caption Watts with the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
No. 58 Minnesota Vikings
Position:	Linebacker
Personal information
Date of birth:	(1991-01-21) January 21, 1991
Place of birth:	Tennille, Georgia
Height:
Weight:
Career information
High school:	Sandersville (GA) Washington County
College:	Georgia Tech
NFL draft:	2014 / Round: 7 / Pick: 223
Career history
Minnesota Vikings (2014–present)
Roster status:	Active
Career highlights and awards
2013 Butkus Award Preseason Watch List 2013 Preseason Third Team All-ACC (Phil Steele)
Career NFL statistics as of Week 15, 2015
Tackles: 8 Sacks: 0 Interceptions: 0 Forced fumbles: 1 Player stats at NFL.com

Brandon Watts (born January 21, 1991) is an American football linebacker for the Minnesota Vikings. He played college football at Georgia Tech. He was drafted by the Vikings in the seventh round, 223rd overall of the 2014 NFL Draft.

Early years

Watts attended Washington County High School in Sandersville, Georgia, where he earned four varsity letters in football, playing quarterback and safety, and served two years as a team captain. As a senior in 2008, he recorded 86 tackles (nine for loss) and three interceptions on defense, as well as three rushing touchdowns as a quarterback, despite only playing in eight games because of a torn labrum in the shoulder. He was an honorable mention All-State (GHSA), was named to the Augusta Chronicle All-Georgia Team, was named Region 3AAA Defensive Player of the Year and was a first team All-Middle Georgia. He also ran track & field all four years as a sprinter and played basketball for two seasons.

Regarded as a three-star recruit by Rivals.com, Watts was listed as the 68th best player in the state of Georgia. He committed to Georgia Tech on March 19, 2008. He also had scholarship offers from Auburn and Georgia

College career

Watts attended Georgia Institute of Technology, where he played for the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets football team from 2009 to 2013. He was productive in his two years as a starter, collecting 143 total tackles in 26 games.

In 2012, Watts played a majority of the snaps on defense and recorded 77 tackles.

Watts finished his senior season after coming back from an injury with 66 total tackles (42 solo), and 3.5 tackles for loss. He added an interception, a pass break-up, a forced fumble and 2.5 sacks.

Professional career

Pre-draft

Pre-draft measurables

Ht	Wt	40-yd dash	10-yd split	20-yd split	20-ss	3-cone	Vert	Broad	BP
6 ft 0 in	225 lb	4.41 s	1.51 s	2.55 s	4.21 s	6.89 s	37.5 in	10 ft 2 in	16 reps
All values from Pro Day

At his Pro Day, Watts stood out with a 4.41 40-yard dash, 37.5 inch (0.95m) vertical jump, and 10'3" (3.14m) broad jump, which would have all been near the top at this position at the combine. He also posted a 6.89-second three-cone drill.

Minnesota Vikings

Watts was selected with the 223rd pick in the 2014 NFL Draft by the Minnesota Vikings. He signed a 4 year, $2,282,448 contract, including a $62,448 signing bonus guaranteed, and an average annual salary of $570,612.

External links

• Georgia Tech bio