30 Players in 30 Days: #3 — Armani Watts

Notes from Olin's thoughts on Watts

• From day one, has been impressed with his ball skills. Became a good tackler last year and practically kept A&M in the game against Ole Miss last season with a 20+ tackle performance.


• Watts is an all-conference type of player. The safety position is strong across the SEC, but one of the reasons it is so strong is because of A&M's tandem which includes Watts.


• In Watts' first ever game, he made a jarring hit to save a touchdown against South Carolina. He's shown from day one that he can play against the pass because of his reaction time and ball skills. He's now also a very good tackler and should be even better in his junior season.


• Watts is one of the elite safeties in the SEC, which makes him one of the elite in the entire country.With two relatively new corners, A&M will need a reliable free safety to help cover. Watts has that range to do so.


• If Watts has a big year, he could definitely be a guy who leaves early. If you get him back for his senior year, it's a bonus.

Notes from Ty Warren's thoughts on Watts

• Armani Watts’ first game at South Carolina made a great first impression in Aggieland.  He is an enforcer but he also has the coverage range to close the gap on the receiver.  He is a great player and he will be a key part to that back end.


• Watts is a safety net in the secondary and commands that area.  He has the ability to cover and play the run and he can do it at a high level.


• He is an emotional leader as well and he is any coach’s dream and has been a great example to the young safeties behind him. Watts can clean up the edge and get physical when he needs to.


• Terrence Kiel was a player who could make tackles up on the line and Armani Watts plays with a similar style.

Notes from Alan Weddell's thoughts on Watts

• Armani Watts has a nose for the football and is a complete player.  He is very smart, he can cover, and he can tackle.


• Watts is a coach’s dream because he is a leader and he takes care of his business off of the field. He is a complete football player at a very important position.  If Watts can prevent big plays for the defense, the Aggies will do well this season


• Watts is a very unique player who has been taught by some great coaches.  He is always around the football, which is an important trait to have as a safety.

• Armani Watts is a top three player on this team and he has been so consistent during his time here.  He is a complete player who can cover, tackle, and is incredibly athletic.


• Watts is an integral piece in the three-headed monster that Texas A&M has at safety and he can make some real noise in the SEC this year.


• The best pure defensive back on the team is Donovan Wilson, but when you measure Armani Watt’s importance level he deserves to be number three on this list.


• Watts is a dual-threat guy and the thing that I like about him is the fact that he has had a consistent coach throughout his career.  That translates onto the field and has been seen in his improvement since he arrived in Aggieland.


• Do not be surprised if Armani Watts enters the NFL Draft after this season.  If he plays well this year in the SEC there is no doubt that he should pursue the NFL.


• Watts has to improve his open field tackling and although he makes more tackles than he misses, the tackles he misses are heavily criticized because he is the last line of the defense.

Follow the entire 2016 30 Players in 30 Days series here.

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