Four-star Colorado commit Winston Watkins talks recent Miami visit: “I feel like Cristobal is changing things around”
For the first time since last fall, Fort Myers (Fla.) First Baptist Academy four-star wide receiver Winston Watkins returned to South Florida for a game-day visit with the Miami Hurricanes as they matched up against the Virginia Cavaliers.
“I really wanted to see how they were running their offense and what they were working with,” Watkins told CaneSport. “Miami has been doing good this season, and I just wanted to check it out. I know a few guys on the team, so it was good to see my boys play.”
Watkins, who has been committed to Colorado since December, has maintained communication with a handful of programs, including the Hurricanes, who first offered the No. 69 overall prospect in the 2025 class according to the On3 Industry Ranking following a standout performance at Miami’s 2022 Legends Camp.
“It’s been pretty good, but I make sure I always keep my options open,” Watkins said. “You never know what could happen, so I just want to make sure my relationship with other coaches stays good as well. At the end of the day, this is a business.”
Although a handful of changes have been made on the Hurricanes staff since Watkins was last on campus, the 5-foot-9 175-pounder who has hauled in 38 receptions, 804 receiving yards, and nine touchdowns in just five games since transferring from IMG Academy to First Baptist Academy has begun to develop a relationship with Miami wide receivers coach Kevin Beard, who has been at the forefront of his recruitment.
“Coach KB is a great guy, and I like him,” Watkins said. “My relationship with Miami is pretty smooth. Miami is one of the closest big-time schools near me, so it’s a good little relationship I got with them and the coaches, so it’s pretty great.”
Under the guidance of Beard, Miami’s receiving core has looked vastly improved, with three receivers, Xavier Restrepo (648 receiving yards), Jacolby George (495 receiving yards), and Colbie Young (429 receiving yards), already surpassing last year’s team-high of 367 receiving yards by a wideout with four games remaining.
Watkins could picture himself making similar plays that he saw from the Hurricanes Saturday afternoon, which has been a message Miami’s staff has relayed to the cousin of Super Bowl Champion and former NFL first-round draft pick Sammy Watkins.
“They let me know that they’re going to put me in positions to make plays,” Watkins said. “They have some playmakers out there, and when they get the ball, they make plays. They let me know I would get opportunities to show off my ability.”
After watching Miami live in action, Watkins can see the progression of the program and is a believer in Hurricanes head coach Mario Cristobal.
“It’s pretty fire and I feel like Cristobal is changing things around,” Watkins said. “I would say he’s doing a good job of turning things around and bringing them back to being closer to where they want to be.”
CaneSport’s take
After wrapping up his visit to Miami, Watkins seemed thoroughly impressed with what he saw on the field and in the crowd at Hard Rock Stadium. “It was amazing how everything went and how the game went,” Watkins said. “It was a really good game, and I got to see how the fans interacted and be excited to watch their team be able to win and come through in overtime.” While Watkins reassured that he is firmly committed to Colorado, it is good to see that the Hurricanes were able to get him back around the staff, which seems to have made a great impact on how he views the program.
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