Channel 9 is winding down its Big 22 Player to Watch previews with two more names left to reveal.
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Sports director Phil Orban highlighted Rock Hill cornerback Kaiden Watkins on Thursday.
Watkins takes his role as mentor in Football City USA seriously and has earned the city’s respect through his play on the field. The James Madison commit is one of the top defensive backs in South Carolina, and he’s been tested against some of the state’s best, which comes with the territory when you’re from Rock Hill. But it’s about more than his play on the field. He’s being asked to take a leadership role in the locker room, something he’s growing more comfortable with.
“Just having to flip the switch,” Watkins said. “I haven’t always been as vocal, but talking to my parents and coach Boulware, I had to take that step in being vocal. The younger classmen, they’re looking up to me, so I just have to lead by example every day in the weight room, on the field, just life, be a good role model for everybody.”
You almost have to be a role model when you’re a football star in Rock Hill. With all the NFL talent that was raised in the city, there is a responsibility to be a shining example for kids in the community.
“Little kids will be like, ‘That’s Kaiden Watkins,’ and they want to take a picture, stuff like that,” he said. “I just knew I had to up my standard and just be that person that people can look up to.”
We’re profiling 22 players every weekday until voting for our five finalists on Sept. 4. Tune into Channel 9 each day to see local stars featured.
Channel 9 hosts Big 22 Media Day for young athletes
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