Published: 11/30/2021 10:04:13 PM
Modified: 11/30/2021 10:03:41 PM
Bryce Watts’ UMass career will be one and done.
The redshirt junior defensive back declared his eligibility for the 2022 NFL Draft in a tweet Tuesday.
“First and foremost, I give all glory to God,” he wrote. “I thank him for the opportunity to have this decision to make.”
Watts played in all 12 games for the Minutemen this season, totaling 43 tackles. His one interception helped seal UMass’ only win of the season over UConn. The Toms River, N.J., native broke up four passes.
He transferred from North Carolina, where Watts was injured for most of 2020. He sat out 2019 for NCAA transfer rules when he first arrived in Chapel Hill after spending the first two years of his career at Virginia Tech.
“I’d like to thank coach (Justin) Fuente, coach (Bud) Foster and coach (James) Mitchell for building my foundation as a cornerback at Virginia Tech,” Watts wrote. “I’d also like to thank coach (Mack) Brown, coach (Jay) Bateman and coach (Dré) Bly for welcoming me as a Tar Heel. Last but not least, I want to thank coach (Walt) Bell and coach (Jason) Tudryn for giving me opportunity to play the sport I love at UMass.”
Watts was a three-star prospect and the top cornerback in New Jersey coming out of high school.
“To my teammates, thank you for all of the lessons and memories that will last a lifetime,” Watts wrote. “I’m ready.”