Jul 25, 2018 7 min read

Unlike the Pittsburgh Steelers, who report to Saint Vincent College and reside in dormitory rooms during NFL training camp, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers train at their own facility and house all the rookies in a nearby hotel.

Justin Watson will check in at that chosen establishment this week. The South Fayette native plans on raking up a big bill because he doesn’t intend on checking out until right before the Buccanneers travel to New Orleans for their NFL opener Sept. 9.

“It’s kind of different for me when I think about how the Steelers do it,” Watson said. “But there is an advantage to having training camp on site. All the resources you need are right there.”

Of his accommodations, Watson noted the hotel is more comfortable than a college dorm.

“The focus is on staying there as long a possible,” he added. “After making the team, I’ll pursue something more permanent.”

As a newcomer, Watson plans to earn his permanent place on the roster through his special teams play because he understands the challenge of breaking into the starting lineup against All-Pro receivers.

The Bucs already are deep with veterans such as Mike Evans (1,001 yards on 71 catches for five scores last year) DeSean Jackson (668 yards, 50 grabs and three TDs) and Adam Humphries (631 yards, 61 receptions), not to mention tight end Cameron Brate (591 yards and six touchdowns) and Chris Godwin.

“The big thing for me is to get on special teams and make my presence known,” Watson said. “On the roster already are four great receivers. Whether they keep five or six, I don’t know. That will depend on who helps the most on special teams. I didn’t do a lot of that in college but it’s the nature of the position. I’m taking it seriously and doing the best I can.”

With Watson, there is no other way. The 6-3, 225-pound wide receiver has always done whatever it takes. He did that during the East-West Shrine Game in January and that endeared him to the Buccaneers, because Skylar Fulton coached in that game before being hired as Tampa’s wide receivers coach this season. When Fulton asked for help on special teams, Watson responded.

“Put me wherever you want me. I will play wherever you need me,” South Fayette High School coach Joe Rossi said recalling a conversation he had with his former player regarding the all-star contest.

“That is so typical of Justin and speaks to his character. He’s willing to do whatever it takes.”

And it took a lot to mold Watson into an NFL rookie. Nicknamed “No-hands Watson” because the first pass he ever attempted to catch bounced off his head, it took eight years for him to develop into a sure-handed receiver and late-round pick of the Bucs.

Watson helped the Lions to a PIAA state championship his senior season by catching 73 passes for 1,568 yards and 22 TDs. After no Division I schools expressed interest in him, Watson went to the University of Pennsylvania and set the Ivy League on fire. He became the league’s and the FCS’s most productive receiver in history, registering over 1,000 yards in each of his last three seasons at Penn. He was also a 2015 All-Ivy League selection and finished as the runner-up for Ivy League Offensive Player of the Year after making 74 catches for 1,082 yards and nine receiving touchdowns.

During his senior year, Watson caught 81 passes for 1,083 yards and 14 touchdowns in 10 games. Penn won the Ivy League championship two times while Watson was on the team.

“Justin took the tools he had and worked hard,” Rossi said. “For him, hard work and desire made him into the player he is today.”

So did South Fayette. Watson said he still communicates with Rossi. He also returns to campus for workouts and to speak to players.

“The biggest lessons I learned were about attitude and effort and they have followed me to the NFL,” Watson said.

Penn took care of molding Watson into the NFL rookie he is today. For a small school, he said the university did a great job of preparing him to become a professional athlete.

“They built up my body and honed my skills,” he said. “They instilled in me to play hard and have good habits, which you need in the pros.”

Watson has immersed himself in the professional way of life. While he no longer has to juggle weightlifting, classes, practices, games and homework, he’s still putting in 12- to 14-hour days.

“It’s all football. All the things I love to do all of the time,” he said enthusiastically.

Watson will utilize what he learned during rookie camp and OTAs to help him solidify his spot on the roster. He even moved to Tampa Bay at the beginning of the month to acclimate himself to the weather.

“I rode around with my windows down to get accustomed to as much heat as I could,” he said with a laugh when he recalled it was hotter in Pittsburgh than in Tampa the first week of July.

Yet, the workouts and extra time training with potential teammates Watson believes will be beneficial. He has already caught passes and ran routes for the quarterbacks. He continues to prep with the strength staff. He’s putting in the extra work for the big payoff because he understands the odds of making the squad even for a top draft pick.

“The big thing is, I’ve gotten acclimated to what being a pro is all about,” he said. “It’s not college anymore. It’s a full-time job. Part of being a professional is not just practice and working out, but it’s watching films and being first to the facility because there is so much to absorb. In the NFL, the mental game and having the right approach is so important, too.

“It’s awesome though,” Watson continued. “I finally get to go to work. Every day.”

Back in April, Watson cemented that opportunity when he was the 144th player selected in the NFL Draft. Though he exhibited strong skills at his pro day, where he ran a 4.42 40-yard dash and had a 40-inch vertical leap, Watson was uncertain as to who would draft him.

“So many months I wondered where I would end up and then I finally got some clarity. It’s been surreal since. The draft was a fun day. I hope it’s the first of many I get to enjoy with my family and friends,” said the son of Terri and Doug Watson.

If he makes the squad, Watson has Sept. 24 circled on his calendar. Not only will it be his first Monday Night Football appearance, it would be the first time he faces the Steelers. While the game is in Tampa, someday though it might be at Heinz Field, where Watson played and helped South Fayette capture a WPIAL championship before winning a PIAA state title.

“To play in Heinz Field again would be pretty special because my career would have come full circle from playing there in high school to becoming a pro,” he said.

Noting that day is a long way off, Watson said he is focused on the short term. To make the team, he’s sticking to his game.

“My tools and talents got me here,” he said. “I’m not switching. If I do anything, it is to just try and make everything crisper, pay attention to detail, run my routes and work from my strengths.”

Watson is a self-described big, strong and fast receiver who can create separation. He knows how to get open and catch a pass and he also knows how to make an impact on special teams. So in making the team, he has options.

“My focus is to get through training camp and be as consistent as possible. I’m focused on the short-term. I want to contribute every Sunday. I want to contribute to every win the Bucs get this season whether that is catching a pass or making an impact on special teams.

And, he’s hoping to delay using his degree from the prestigious Wharton School of Business for decades.

“I want to get that second contract.”