Former VHS standout Kordell Watts named starting center for West Alabama

Former Vicksburg High School offensive lineman Kordell Watts is heading into his junior year at the University of West Alabama where he will be the starting center in the upcoming season.

Watts played for Jones Community College for the 2017 and 2018  football seasons, and the Bobcats lost only three games in those two years. In 2018, Watts led Jones to a 10-2 season and a Mississippi Bowl victory over Eastern Arizona. He was one of the lead blockers that season for All-American running back Kalyn Grandberry who rushed for 1,289 yards and 10 touchdowns.

After the 2018 season, Watts committed to play for the University of Tennessee-Martin, but he suffered an injury shortly after arriving there. Watts decided to transfer to another school to play football but he wasn’t sure where to go.

He decided on West Alabama after they offered a package deal that allowed him to play and his brother Christopher Watts to join as a manager.

”They were the only team to mention my brother and from there on, I knew I was going to play for them,” Watts said.

Watts, known for both his pass and run blocking skills, was redshirted last season during his injury year, but is now eligible to play in the  upcoming 2020 season. He has already been officially named the starting center and is waiting for practices to begin.

Because no one is able to begin practices yet due to COVID-19 restrictions, Watts has been working out every day with his two younger brothers, Christopher and Mason Watts.

Watts credits his mother Kimberly Harris-Watts for most of his success in life.

”She kept me motivated during my injury and helped me the most with finding another school,” Watts said.

Watts is a 2017 graduate of Vicksburg High School where he played under head coach Marcus Rogers, and led the Gators to a 9-4 season in his senior year.

UWA kicks off its football season Sept. 3, 2020, against Tusculum in a home game in Livingston, Alabama, at 6 p.m.