Eastern Kentucky University Athletics

AS A REDSHIRT SENIOR IN 2022
Started three games ... made two starts at right guard and one at center ... part of offensive line that helped EKU rank third nationally in passing offense per game (329.7), fifth in third-down conversion percentage (.519), 10th in total offense per game (451.3), 11th in scoring offense (36.2), and 18th in red zone offense (.879) ... helped EKU tally its highest point total in program history.

IN 2021
Phil Steele Third-Team All-ASUN ... played in 10 games while making eight starts at center and one at right guard ... helped EKU rank fourth in the nation in red-zone scoring (93.9 percent) ... part of a unit that ranked 19th nationally in sacks allowed per game (1.27 sacks per game) ... helped the Colonels accumulate 400 yards of offense in five of the final seven games of the season. 

AS A REDSHIRT JUNIOR IN 2020 AT EKU
Played in eight games … started seven times – twice at center and the final five games of the season at right tackle … helped EKU conclude the fall third in the nation in passing offense (247.4 yards per game) and fourth in the country in total offense (376.4 yards per game) … started on the offensive line when the Colonels ran up a season-high 590 yards of offense against Western Carolina in the 2020 Opportunity Bowl … part of an offensive unit that totaled 400 yards or more of offense in six of the final seven games of the season.

AS A JUNIOR IN 2019 AT EKU
Redshirt season … played in one game before suffering a season-ending injury.

AS A SOPHOMORE IN 2018 AT GARDEN CITY COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Earned NJCAA third team All-America honors and first team all-KJCAA recognition as a sophomore … helped Garden City to a 10-1 record and a KJCAA championship.
 
AS A FRESHMAN IN 2017 AT GARDEN CITY COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Helped Garden City win eight games as a freshman in 2017.
 
HIGH SCHOOL
Three-star offensive lineman as a senior at Colerain High School … ranked No. 22 offensive guard in the nation by Rivals, No. 66 by 247Sports and No. 75 by Scout … ranked No. 27 recruit in Ohio by Rivals and No. 50 by 247Sports … three-year letter winner at Colerain … 2015 All-GMC first team.
 
PERSONAL
Full name is Howard Watkins Jr. ... son of Howard Sr. and Stephanie Watkins … has one brother – Stephon, and two sisters – Jordan and Jaedan … plans to study health administration.