Maceo Watkins is one of the best wide receivers in the state. His ability to evade defenders after catching the ball is impressive. He isn’t just fast, but he is physical and tough to take down. Then he can run by defenders and make big catches. If PCC is going to win a State Title, they will need big plays in the passing game. Watkins will need to be a big part of the passing game to get the win.

Calling this a breakout for Watkins doesn’t sit right because he’s been putting out high-level film for a while now. The reality is he still hasn’t gotten the recognition he deserves as one of the top recruits in the WPIAL, but this year he’s playing like a man on a mission. Against good competition, Watkins has been dominant. He’s got the size of a prototypical X receiver, runs crisp routes to separate against anybody, and has strong hands to win contested catches. After the catch, he’s physical and tough to bring down, punishing defenders every time he touches the ball. But what makes him stand out goes beyond the measurables. He plays with energy, effort, and leadership that you can feel. He blocks, contributes on special teams, and never takes a snap off. Last year he showed flashes even in a loaded offense, scoring multiple touchdowns in the WPIAL championship against North Allegheny. Now, with a bigger role, he’s proving he can be just as impactful as guys like Bradley Gompers and Xxavier Thomas. He’s currently committed to Navy, and if it stays that way they’re landing a sleeper. Truthfully, his film shows he could play level Power Four football.

Maceo Watkins is a good wide receiver who is explosive after the catch. His ability to catch the ball and make defenders miss in space is impressive. He has good body control and catches the ball well when he is guarded by defenders. Watkins should be a big play machine for PCC this year.

6’1, 170 pounds. 3.75 GPA. Is going to fly up our boards after the live eval performance. Central Catholic’s Maceo Watkins posted impressive regular season tape too, this being the factor that holds the most weight, the factor that is going to have him skyrocket up our ranks.

Ranked in the offseason as a DB, can still dabble with single-high safety reps, along with quality special teams play. That being said, Watkins Jr. has moved almost exclusively to wideout. Seeing Watkins in person, I came away impressed with the weight he has put on. I admittedly haven’t been around Watkins enough to know, yet he looks a bit more filled out than I had previously imagined.

Watkins Jr. had himself a first-half against North Allegheny. Can be trusted to work as the X receiver in this offense, can be trusted to work against press coverage, and win, two aspects of his game I was previously unsure about. Watkins has the balance and body control necessary to work DBs off the LOS and keep his stride momentum churning downfield. Watkins would work the seam and get free downfield, ultimately catching a ball for a score in the first quarter of the 6A WPIAL Championship. Watkins would work a tunnel screen out of an ACE look, a screen he would take 30+ yards for a score. Again, I wasn’t under the impression that Watkins Jr. could provide YAC ability quite like this. Watkins Jr. would then burn a DB down the sideline, flashing his vertical tracking skills, along with ability to separate with stride alone. This should have lived as Watkins Jr.’s third touchdown in this game, yet he stepped out of bounds before reaching the pylon. My opinion of Watkins has changed drastically, thanks to both regular season tape and live evaluation grades.