THREE- YEAR LETTERMAN - A returning starter at free safety…was presented the top Super Iron Keydet Award at the conclusion of spring practice for testing the highest in strength and conditioning during the off-season…One of three retuning defensive backs with three years of experience…ranks third among top returning tacklers from a year go… slated to start at free safety again.
2010 - Was on the field for the most plays in 2010 - 784 which top the team charts…ranked sixth on the team in tackles with 53 tackles and 3.5 for loss for 12 yards…intercepted passes in consecutive games against Virginia and Presbyterian College…logged a season-high nine tackles against Liberty…credited with five-tackle games against Lock Haven, William & Mary, Presbyterian, Stony Brook and Gardner-Webb…lettered for the third time.
2009 - Had season limited by injury but still appeared in nine games and posted 39 tackles with 1.5 tackles-for-loss including a sack…played in 378 snaps…posted nine tackles at Richmond, including a sack for three yards…had a career-high 11 stops at Liberty including six solos and five assists…logged five solos and one assist and a half tackle- for-loss in conference opener against Gardner-Webb…had four solo tackles in season finale against Old Dominion.
2008 - Active on the playing field as a true freshman, with playing time increasing throughout the year...saw his most playing time in the opener when he was in 34 plays against Saint Francis...also was involved in 32 plays at Stony Brook before an knee injury in that game ended his season...played in nine of 11 games and lettered...had 11 total tackles on the season, including five solos...posted a season-high four stops against Saint Francis...broke up passes against William & Mary and Stony Brook...credited with half tackle-for-loss for five yards against Chowan.
HIGH SCHOOL - A graduate of Virginia Episcopal School in Lynchburg, Va...led team to VISAA Championship game as a senior...three-time All-VISAA running back...two-year selection as All-VISAA Defensive Back First Team...two-year selection to the Lynchburg News & Advance All-Area First-Team as Defensive Back... Virginia Episcopal School Most Valuable Player as junior and senior.
PERSONAL - Full name is James Ellison Watkins, III...Economics and Business major.
