Gearing up for this April’s NFL Draft, All-American wide receiver Justin Watson shined at his Pro Day at Penn on Monday, March 19, which was attended by scouts from more than 20 NFL teams.
Watson ran the 40-yard dash in 4.42 seconds—faster than All-Pro Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown ran at the 2010 NFL Combine. He showed off his 40-inch vertical jump, which would have tied for first at this year’s NFL combine among wide receivers. He also bench pressed 225 pounds 20 times, which would have tied for fourth.
A three-time unanimous All-Ivy selection, Watson is the first player in Ivy League history with three 1,000 receiving yard seasons. He also holds the league record for 100-yard games (19) and receiving yards in Ivy League games (2,675). He is second in receiving yards and third in receptions and receiving touchdowns.
At Penn, Watson is the all-time leader in receptions, (286), receiving yards (3,777), all-purpose yards (4,116), and receiving touchdowns (33).
Following in the footsteps of former Penn quarterback Alek Torgersen, who currently plays for the Detroit Lions, Watson played in the 93rd East-West Shrine Game in St. Petersburg, Fla., on Jan. 20. The contest gives top college prospects the chance to perform in front of NFL scouts. He was targeted three times and caught 1 pass for 1 yard.
Mike Mayock, a draft analyst for the NFL Network, remarking on his observations of practices for the Shrine Game, said Watson’s size (6’3” 220 pounds), hands, and ability to separate make him an “intriguing” prospect.
On Jan. 27, in Mobile, Ala., Watson also played in the Senior Bowl, which features college football’s top senior stars and NFL prospects. He wowed onlookers during practice and caught 1 pass for 34 yards during the game. He was the first Penn player since Mitch Marrow in 1998 to be invited to play in the Senior Bowl, and the first Quaker since 1952 to be invited to multiple all-star games.
The NFL Draft will be held April 26-28 at AT&T Stadium in Dallas.
