NEO DB Cameron Watts is a Red Raider

The Texas Tech coaching staff received some good news when Northeast Oklahoma A&M defensive back Cameron Watts committed while on his visit to Tech.

"So when we got there we met up with coach Pehrson and he showed us around the locker room, then we went down to the field for practice for about 20 minutes. After that we went up back to the football facilities where we did the photo shoot. Then we proceeded to go back down to the football field where they finished up practice and then went to go eat with the rest of the recruits.

After lunch we all went to the basketball game. At halftime coach Wells he pulled me and my family to the side and we talked, he said he was going to offer me. He told me about himself and what kind of person he is and said he wanted to give me an offer."

Watts immediately becomes one of the fastest players on the team, as he has been timed at a 4.39 40 yard dash. That, along with his smarts, is a big reason the Red Raiders were looking to add the 6-foot, 175 pound defensive back.

"Coach (Derek) Jones said the main thing he likes about me are my transcripts. He said I'm not a kid that he has to worry about, I have all the good grades and he said he already knows I can play football. That's not anything he's worried about. Coach Wells said he likes me as an all-around athlete."

Listed as a corner, Watts is versatile enough to play all over the secondary which is what coach Derek Jones prefers.

"Coach Jones said I'll be playing some nickel too, nickel and corner."

Along with his offer from Tech, Watts also was receiving interest from Oklahoma and Baylor.

"So I went on a visit to OU last year and I took a visit to Baylor last year, but now the only school I'm interested in is Texas Tech."

Originally a class of 2021 recruit, Watts is moving up that timeline and plans to enroll at Texas Tech this summer with the rest of the 2020 class.

"Yes, I'll be arriving this summer in the first week of June. I'll finish up my semester at NEO and keep working out until I get here in June. I won't be doing spring ball with NEO but I'll still be there, just won't be participating."

Now that he's committed, Watts says he's always believed in himself and that belief earned him this opportunity. His favorite quote from Nipsey Hussle illustrates just that.

“Yeah, it's a moment this special

This what happens stay down game bless you

This what happens don't fold the game test you

If you pass it you gone they can't catch you and its permanent

I been down I deserve this”

- Nipsey Hussle

Watts finished his freshman season at NEO with 32 tackles, four tackles for loss, two interceptions and nine pass breakups.