Watts reacts to Kills retirement

Minnesota was one of the top schools on Chicago (Ill.) Phillips defensive tackle Amir Watts interest list. Now he is evaluating the program in a post-Jerry Kill era.

"I am really kind of excited to see who it is going to be, but at the same time that plays a main role in recruiting," Watts said. "I am trying to see how it plays out for me too. They informed me that he left, but that was about it. The new coach that they get, they said they're going to run (Watts' offer) by him."

Minnesota offered Watts in September. He lists defensive line coach Jeff Phelps as the staffer he has the best relationship with, but Watts was also fond of Kill after they had several chats.

"Coach Kill seems like a nice person and I think we would have gotten along pretty well," Watts said.

Watts has yet to schedule an official visit with Minnesota, but he has four spots open. An official visit to Syracuse has been planned for the Dec. 11 weekend and he is close to locking in an official visit date with Rutgers.

"I think Rutgers has me down for Jan. 22," Watts said. "They are Big Ten too, so I can't wait to see how everything is down there. I've been talking to the coaches over there since they came during my junior year."

Other top contenders for Watts among the schools that have offered are Kansas and Pittsburgh.

"I talk to Coach (Tom) Sims from Pittsburgh every Saturday morning when he calls and asks me about the game," Watts said. "It shows me that he is real interested, and I am real interested in Pittsburgh too. That might be my last (official visit)."

The 6-foot-3, 260-pound Watts is still fielding interest from schools that have yet to offer, and is open to considering additional offers.

"I talk to the coach from Ole Miss all the time. He calls me on the regular," Watts said. "All he has told me right now is he is going to continue to call and wants to build a relationship with me. He told me he was coming down to see me and some other kid.

"I am talking to UCF and their coach actually just retired too. He said I am still on the top of their recruiting board, but when they get a new coach in December they are going to run it by him."

Meanwhile, Watts is pursuing a state championship with his Chicago Phillips team. They are 10-0 on the season after a first round playoff win this past weekend.

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