Darius Watts

Darius Orlando Watts (born December 19, 1981) is a former arena football offensive specialist. He was originally drafted by the Denver Broncos in the second round (54th overall) of the 2004 NFL Draft.

In his career, Watts has also played for the New York Giants. He is also an ArenaBowl champion, with the 2008 Philadelphia Soul whom won ArenaBowl XXII by a score of 59-56 over the San Jose SaberCats.

High school and college careers

Watts was a four-year letterman in football at Banneker High School, as well as in basketball and track. He was first given the nickname of "Spider" from his high school teammates, and the name has stuck with him through college and into the pros.

Watts played 48 career games at Marshall, he recorded 272 receptions for 4,031 yards (14.8 avg.) and 47 touchdowns. His 272 career receptions ranked fifth all-time in NCAA Division I-A history and were a Mid-American Conference record while only Troy Edwards of Louisiana Tech (50 in 1996-98) had more touchdown receptions in a career in NCAA Division I-A history than Watts' MAC-record 47 career touchdowns. Additionally, his 4,031 career receiving yards were topped only by Mike Barber (4,262, 1985–88) in school history.

In 2000, Watts was one of only two true freshmen to play for Marshall, starting four games to record 36 catches for 616 yards (17.1 avg.) with six touchdowns. He earned First-team All-MAC honors in 2001 as a sophomore, and was one of 11 semifinalists for the Biletnikoff Award, recording career-highs in receptions (91) and receiving yards (1,417), a 15.6 yards-per-reception average, along with an NCAA-high 18 touchdowns that ranked third on the school's single-season list. His 91 receptions ranked fourth all-time in school history for a single-season, and he recorded the most catches in a season since Marshall returned to Division I-A competition by passing the 90 receptions by Randy Moss in 1997. He tied for the second-most receptions in MAC history, his yardage total was third best and his touchdown total tied him for the second best in MAC history as well. As a junior in 2002, he was preseason All-America selection. He also earned First-team All-MAC honors with 71 receptions for 1,030 yards (14.7 avg.) and 12 touchdowns and became the MAC's All-Time touchdown receptions leader. As a senior in 2003, he Watts was a team capitan for the second consecutive season and he recorded 74 receptions for 968 yards (13.1 avg.) and 11 touchdowns.

Professional career

National Football League (2004–2007)

Watts was chosen in the second round (54th overall) by the Denver Broncos in the 2004 NFL Draft.

As a rookie in 2004, Watts caught 31 passes for 385 yards and one touchdown for an average of 14.8 ypc. He played in all 16 games, starting two. Watts carried the ball five times for 33 yards and recorded one tackle as well. In 2004 he tied for the fifth-most receptions by a rookie in Broncos history.

he recorded only two receptions for 22 yards during his second season. He was inactive for the team's final ten games. After another inconsistent pre-season the Broncos released him on September 2, 2006. The New York Giants signed him to their practice squad and signed him to the team after they lost to the New Orleans Saints on December 24, 2006. The Giants re-signed him for the 2007 season on March 23, 2007.^[1] He was released by the Giants on July 20, 2007.

Arena Football League

Watts signed with the Philadelphia Soul on Thursday January 31, 2008. As a rookie in the Arena Football League, he recorded 38 receptions for 376 yards and five touchdowns. He also won his first championship at the professional level when the Soul defeated the San Jose SaberCats 59-56 in ArenaBowl XXII. Ironically, Watts wasn't the only person on the Soul team to have a connection to the state of West Virginia, where he attended Marshall University. He along with fullback / linebacker Wes Ours, and head coach Bret Munsey all had connections to the state. Ours was an All-American Fullback at West Virginia University, Munsey was born in the Charleston and attended, played, and coached at Concord College.^[2]

Coaching

Watts is the head football coach for the Metropolitan State University of Denver Roadrunners club football team ^[3]

Personal

He is the son of Yukon and Joanna Watts.

See also

• List of Arena Football League and National Football League players

Notes

External links

• Philadelphia Soul profile
• Denver Broncos profile
• Stats at ArenaFan
• New York Giants profile at Sports Illustrated.com
• Stats at Pro Football Reference