#2 Slip Watkins Season 2024
Arguably the fastest man in LSU history … An instrumental figure in LSU’s back-to-back national outdoor track and field titles, Watkins sat out the 1989 football season to concentrate on his track career … Returned to the gridiron for the 1990 season and was backup to All-Southeastern Conference split end Todd Kinchen … Watkins was a backup tailback in 1988, but moved to flanker in 1989 and participated in most practices last fall … Missed some early practices due to international track competition … Dangerous return specialist who ranked No. 3 in the SEC in kickoff returns in 1988 … This All-America track sprinter added a unique dimension to the Tiger offense and is a deep threat as a receiver.
REDSHIRT SENIOR SEASON (1990)
Caught no passes, but rushed three times for 45 yards, including a long run of 22 yards against Miami (Ohio) on a reverse … Returned nine kickoffs for 215 yards and a long return of 68 yards at Florida State … Played in all 11 games in a reserve role.
SENIOR SEASON (1989)
Redshirted in order to concentrate on track career.
JUNIOR SEASON (1988)
Watkins was LSU’s second-leading rusher as the backup to tailback Eddie Fuller … Rushed 56 times for 173 yards and one touchdown … Had seven receptions for 52 yards … Gained 60 yards on 14 carries vs. Texas A&M and 59 yards on 10 carries (one TD) at Tennessee … Long run of 20 yards at Tennessee, where he also caught two passes for 19 yards … Had an 11-yard catch at Florida … LSU’s third-leading all-purpose runner, with 643 total yards … The SEC’s No. 3 kickoff returner, had 17 returns for 3 71 yards, including a 42-yard effort at Ohio State … Averaged 21.8 yards per kickoff return … Returned one punt for 4 7 yards at Mississippi State … Missed Kentucky and Ole Miss games with hip pointer, an injury which nagged him in the latter part of the season … Moved back to his natural tailback position prior to 1988 season after playing wide receiver in 187 … Did not play in Hall of Fame Bowl.
SOPHOMORE SEASON (1987)
Made the most of his opportunities, as in the Cal State-Fullerton game he caught a pass from backup quarterback Sol Graves, put a move on his defender, and raced 71 yards for touchdown … Also played against Rice … Made the move from tailback to wide receiver during summer practice, and spent the season adjusting to his new position … Enjoyed a prosperous season (spring, 1988) as a sprinter for the LSU track team, playing a vital role as the Tigers captured their first SEC outdoor championships in 25 years … Also helped LSU to a fourth-place finish in the NCAA Indoor meet and fifth-place showing in the NCAA Outdoor Championships.
TRACK CAREER
Watkins is a six-time All-America sprinter for the reigning NCAA national champion LSU track team … LSU won its second straight NCAA Outdoor Track & Field title at Durham, N.C., in 1990, despite the absence of Watkins who missed the meet with a groin injury (he had qualified in the 100 meter dash) … Keyed championship at Provo, Utah, the previous year … 1989 title was LSU’s first since 1933 … LSU became the first program in NCAA history to capture both the men’s and women’s title in the same year in 1989, then repeated that incredible feat in 1990 … The 1989 title was the first national championship in any men’s sport at LSU since the 1958 football champions … Finished fourth in the 200 meters at the 1990 NCAA Indoor Meet … Also, earned the Commissioner’s Trophy as the highest individual scorer in the SEC Indoor Meet (swept the 55m and the 200 m) … Ran a manually timed 10.0 to win the 100 at the LSU Alumni Gold Classic … Injured a groin muscle during pro football scout timing drills in April of 1990 … Placed fourth in the lOOm (10.18 wind aided), fifth in the 200m (20.54) and anchored the fourth-place 4xlOOm relay team (38.97, school record) in the 1989 championships … Placed third in the 1988 indoor 200m and sixth in the 1988 outdoor lOOm at the NCAA Championships … Runner-up in the 200 and fourth in the 55m and 4×400 relay at the SEC indoors in 1988 … Took third in both 100 and 200 at the 1988 outdoor SEC meet … Placed second in the lOOm and 200m to Florida’s Dennis Mitchell at the SEC outdoor Championships in 1989 … School record holder in the indoor 200 and outdoor 100 … Qualified for the Olympic Trials in the 100 and 200 … Four-time Florida 4A State champ in 200 and twice in the 100 … Has best mark of 10.28 in the 100-meter dash, 20.62 in the 200 meters … Helped the LSU track team to its first SEC outdoor title in 25 years in 1988 and its first indoor title in 26 years this past spring … Tiger tracksters also won SEC outdoor title in 1989.
HIGH SCHOOL
Rushed for 1,048 yards and 17 touchdowns as a junior in 1984, and in ’85 gained 936 yards and scored eight TDs … Was rated the 40th-best player in the nation in 1985 by national talent scout Max Emfinger … Made The Sporting News Top 100 list, and was included on Street and Smith’s Top 50 list … Earned all-state and all-county honors as a prep senior, and helped his team to a 7-3 record … Ran the 40-yard dash in 4.3 seconds and the 100-yard dash in 9.3 seconds … Was a two-time state champion in the 220-yard dash.