Florida OT lines up first visit

Lake Gibson, Fla., offensive tackle Jason Watkins was robbed. No not on the field. Watkins said he was robbed off the field in the vote for homecoming kin this past weekend. Watkins, a national football recruit standing all of 6-foot-9 and 300 pounds, said he beaten out in the race for homecoming king by another guy at school that was considerable shorter than him.

“They cheated me,” Watkins said with a big laugh. “I lost by a couple of votes. I was demanding a re-count.”

In the end, thought, Watkins did get to laugh last.

“I left with all of the ladies,” he said. “I didn’t leave any of them disappointed.”

Just like he’s not disappointing on the football field. Watkins helped his team win the homecoming game 49-0 and is hoping to repeat the task this week against an always talented Auburndale squad.

“I know they have a bunch of really good running backs,” Watkins, ranked as the nation’s No. 22 offensive tackle, said. “They run the same offense that we do, so our defense hopefully will know what’s coming.”

Watkins said things are also starting to shape up on the recruiting front. Just two weeks ago he said he was leaning to LSU and Florida, but he said a new team has entered the mix and he’s now got a top three.

“Oklahoma has made up a lot of ground for me,” Watkins said. “I can’t remember what coach is recruiting me, but they’re doing a really good job. They’re a very good team that wins a lot of games and plays for all the marbles.”

Watkins, however, said he’s still impressed with LSU and Florida.

“I’m going to visit LSU on November 7 and I’m visiting Florida some time in January,” Watkins said. “I’m planning on visiting Oklahoma in December, probably.”

Watkins said Auburn, Georgia, Miami and Michigan State are also on his list. He has offers from everybody, except for Miami.

Watkins does have ties to the state of Louisiana and attended East St. John in Reserve, La., before moving to the Sunshine State.