COACH: Watkins is a late bloomer who could have NFL future

An assistant coach at prep powerhouse Olney (Md.) Good Counsel shares thoughts on new Kentucky commit Naasir Watkins.

More than a decade ago Reggie Gooch was a Good Counsel quarterback. He knows all about the program's storied history, as well as the spotlight and responsibility that falls to players in the program.

Now an assistant coach at the Maryland school, Gooch sees things from a different angle. He knows a good bit about Class of 2017 offensive tackle Naasir Watkins, the Cats' latest commitment.

He told Cats Illustrated that Mark Stoops and Vince Marrow landed a player with a wealth of potential.

Cats Illustrated: What kind of a player is Kentucky getting in Naasir Watkins?

Reggie Gooch, Good Counsel assistant coach: They're getting a really smart kid. Well-balanced and he has a lot of upside, too. He hasn't even touched his full potential at all. He's a big kid. He's tough.

Cats Illustrated: How did he play this year as a senior?

Gooch: Actually, this year he really found himself. He came into his own. Last year it was kind of a struggle for him. He wasn't starting. He was a tight end, kind of like an extra lineman. This year he moved inside (to tackle) and just took off. We did really well with him. We were actually kind of surprised but he stepped up and did more than he ever has.

Cats Illustrated: Why do you think he improved so much from last year to this year?

Gooch: I just believe he's more comfortable at the tackle spot than he was at tight end. That's more of his natural position. At Good Counsel you're also going against top notch players every week. He's been pushing them right back. You're going against the best players in the area, the conference and a lot of the best players in the country. Our conference is legit, so going against some of the best players around here has really helped him.

Cats Illustrated: How were the Kentucky coaches, like Vince Marrow, as recruiters and what did they like about Naasir?

Gooch: I believe (Marrow) came around. They did a good job. I think at least two or three coaches came by for a couple of games this year, like the DeMatha game. They offered him after seeing his size, how he comes off the ball and his toughness.

Cats Illustrated: Would you say he's more advanced as a run blocker or in pass protection?

Gooch: I think he's a balanced kid as far as both. I wouldn't say he's exception in either one right now but he's good at both run blocking and pass (sets). He's got a lot of room to grow. He's not even touched what he's going to be able to do halfway. One day he might be an NFL player. He has the size, the intensity, the smarts and the power. He's strong as an ox. One day you might hear them calling his name at the NFL Draft. This is his first year of actually starting, for real, the whole year. He kind of took control of the offensive line and made them all better.