By John Nestor

Clemson, SC

He's not on any Heisman Trophy watch list, but make no mistake, Clemson true freshman Sammy Watkins is a super star, and NFL scouting personnel have taken notice.

Saturday at Maryland, Watkins had a school-record 345 all-purpose yards -- breaking C.J. Spiller's record of 312 set against Florida State in 2009. It was the fourth most in a single game in ACC history.

Watkins had eight catches for 105 yards and two scores and five kickoff returns for 207 yards, including an 89-yarder in the fourth quarter. He also had a 33-yard run in his only carry. The three touchdowns tied a Clemson freshman record for a single game set by Ronald Williams against Appalachian State in 1990.

His kickoff return capped an 18-point, second-half deficit and gave Clemson the lead for good in a 56-45 victory and propelled the 7-0 Tigers into a No. 7 ranking in the initial BCS rankings, matching the school's highest ranking all-time.

Heading into Saturday's home game against North Carolina, the Tigers are undefeated this deep into a season for the first time since 2000.

"Sammy Watkins, what can I say about him tonight," Clemson coach Dabo Swinney said after the Maryland game. "I told him after the fumbled punt in the first quarter that he owed me one. He certainly responded.

"The big difference in the game was our special teams; our kick return was outstanding. We had a breakout game. The guys did a good job blocking and Sammy was just tremendous."

Before Watkins could even think about college, he had to first literally out-run the drug-infested neighborhood in South Ft Myers, Fla., the same place where his football idol, high school star Willie Fletcher, was gunned down outside Watkins' home in 2008. Fletcher was running from gunfire after an altercation at a party and took five shots in the back.

Not only the No. 1 wide receiver recruit in the country by some scouting receivers -- Watkins had 12 receiving TDs, two punt, two kick and three interception scores as a senior at South Ft. Myers High School -- he was a track star during his prep days. He was the Florida state 200 meters champion his junior season and runner-up as a senior.

Watkins has been a star since the day he arrived at the sleepy campus in South Carolina, by-passing power University of Florida where his brother Jaylen, a high school All-American plays, and Miami.

"I like (Clemson) because it's hard to get in trouble," Watkins said. "You've got to find it, or do something very stupid, to get in trouble. Where I come from, there's a lot of drugs, stealing, shootings, violence. I just wanted to get away from that," Watkins said. "I stay in. I go to class, football, I stay in the house most of the time."

Well, he certainly goes out on Saturdays. He struck for a touchdown the first time he was thrown a ball, a 33-yard score 26 seconds into his college career in a 43-19 win over Troy on Sept. 3. He had 10 catches for 155 yards and two TDs in a 38-24 victory over defending national champ Auburn two weeks later. The receptions and yards were both Clemson freshman records.

But those games were just a warm-up for Watkins against Maryland.

Physically and mentally, Watkins is the complete package. The 6-foot-2, 210-pounder has outstanding speed, great hands and the physicality of a pro. He has been timed at 4.37 seconds in the 40-yard dash and has bench pressed 295 pounds. His two receiving TDs against Maryland were fade patterns in which he snatched the balls away from the covering cornerbacks.

"He has great hands and attacks the football better than any receiver I've ever seen," Swinney said. "He looks like spiderman. When he gets his grip on it, it's over. He's special."

His best talent, however, might be his coach-ability. He's humble, hungry and unlike many young stars, not flamboyant. When Watkins scores a TD, he flips the ball to the referees, accepts congratulations from his teammates and trots back to the sidelines.

Watkins ranks fourth in the nation in total yards (1,205 yards) and eighth in receiving yards (728). He leads all freshmen and is 18th nationally with 104 yards per game, is 10th nationally in all-purpose yards (172) and has scored nine TDs.

Watkins is second among national freshman and leads all true freshman with 46 catches and 6.57 receptions/game (27th in nation). For comparison, Florida State's Rashad Green is second among true freshman with 26 catches and 5.2 per game.

Watkins realizes he's becoming the focal point of opponent defenses and it doesn't appear to affect him.

"I always get targeted in high school because I was the leader of our team," Watkins said. "I won't take it any differently here."

But it could be different next year. Watkins will be targeted by the NFL.

 

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Clemson True Frosh Sammy Watkins Having Record-Setting Season