Aug 22, 2013 3 min read

Perhaps it’s appropriate that South Fayette wide receiver Justin Watson didn’t commit to play football at the University of Pennsylvania until after 10 p.m. Wednesday.

After all, his future coaches had meetings all day, while he had homework.

“From the beginning, I’ve said I wanted to get (the commitment) out of the way and focus on football for the next couple months,” Watson said. “I’m comfortable with my decision. Now, I can get ready for my senior year.”

Watson, who’s listed at 6-2, 185 pounds, caught 28 passes last season for 592 yards and eight touchdowns. Also a defensive back, Watson picked off two passes and made 26 tackles on defense.

But with former Lions wideout Zach Challingsworth now at Pitt, Watson’s role will increase plenty this fall, something he’s ready for.

“I’m just trying to be a leader,” Watson said. “I’m trying to go out there and set an example for the younger guys at practice.”

Watson chose Penn over other offers from Cornell, Bucknell, Akron and Fordham.

Part of what attracted Watson to Penn was the business school – considered one of the nation’s best – since he plans on majoring in business with an emphasis on economics.

It’s a smart move for someone with 3.8 quality-point average who scored a 1,382 on his two-part SAT.

“I’ve been told that the next four years will determine the following 40 years of my life,” Watson said. “That really hit me. This is going to affect the rest of my life, and this will be a great degree to fall back on.”

Watson said he visited Penn for a one-day camp on June 9. He checked out a few classrooms during the visit, met some players and had lunch. Everything, as you might have guessed, fit perfectly.

“Distance wasn’t a huge factor,” Watson said. “With the academics and football, I just felt at home.”

Penn is widely considered the best program in the Ivy League – especially by those voting in the league’s preseason poll. The Quakers, who have won three of the past four league titles, were picked to win a fourth in five years.

That would be the first time that has ever happened.

“Besides being the most dominant football program in the Ivy League year in and year out, it’s one of the top business schools in the country,” Watson said. “They said they’re looking for a deep-ball receiver, someone who can make a big play down the field, and I think that’s where I could fit in.

“They’re bringing in a couple other receivers. Maybe if we get a nice enough class we can run a spread offense.”