Tampa Catholic 2014 OLB, Tre Watson did not just come out of nowhere. He was slated to be a key part of the Tampa Bay Tech. defense in 2012 prior to transferring to Tampa Catholic. As a sophomore for the Titans, Watson stacked up 42 total tackles, 1 sack and 1 cause fumble. But after transferring to Tampa Catholic, Watson’s number jumped through the roof.
Watson was a first team ALL BCP OLB selection this season. He answered any questions that critics may have had for him. 16.5 sacks, 86 solo tackle, 4 PD and 3 caused fumbles.
Even though the numbers were impressive, it was how he accumulated those numbers. His dominance and aggression with relentless pass rush and effort made him fun to watch as seen in the video above. We took a moment to discuss Watson’s 2012 season, outlook on 2013 and him as a prospect.
BCP: What was your motivation entering the 2012 season?
TW: My motivation entering this past season was to prove that I am one of the elite players in the Tampa Bay Area and beyond. Last season, I felt good that I earned my starting spot and contributed to the team but I felt that I could do so much more and that’s what pushed me in the spring and heading into this past season.
BCP: When did you start to realize you could become a dominant player?
TW: I think it first hit me during that first day of spring practice last year. I came into that practice with hardly anybody even knowing my name and by the end of that day, I felt that I had caught some people’s attention. It got even stronger as the season began and I was making more plays than I ever had before and that’s when I started to realize that I can really do something here.
BCP: With TJ [Harrell] getting plenty of deserved attention, how did you make your own name?
TW: Well everyone knows that TJ is an amazing player and since I was the new man on campus, I had to earn his respect and that of everyone else on the team. Once I did that, the rest was just up to hard work. I made my own name by proving that I could play on the football field and being as big of a contributor to my team as I could.
BCP: First reaction after USF offer?
TW: My first reaction to the USF offer was just pure happiness and shock. Inside, I was going absolutely crazy and I tried to stay as cool as possible while I was still talking to them. It just felt really good to know that part of the goal has been reached and pushed me to work even harder to earn more.
BCP: What other schools are showing heavy attention?
TW: Some other schools that have shown heavy attention lately have been Boston College, Rutgers, Duke, Stanford, and Penn. I’ve been in contact with those schools over the last couple months and they seem pretty interested.
BCP: What did the Ignite Showcase prove to you? What did you take from it?
TW: The main thing that Ignite proved to me is the tremendous level of talent in the Tampa area and it also showed that I can compete on a high level with these guys. Each time I go to an event like this, there is always something that I try to take and apply it so I can improve, and Ignite showed me some areas that I could develop some more. As spring continues, I’ll be focusing on things like 40 speed and my vertical which are some areas that I could improve in.