A former Kentucky WR commit set multiple Ole Miss records on Saturday

Nov 2, 2024; Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA; Ole Miss Rebels wide receiver Jordan Watkins (11) runs for a touchdown after a catch in the fourth quarter against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. Mississippi won 63-31. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-Imagn Images

During Saturday’s 63-31 blowout win over Arkansas, Ole Miss wide receiver Jordan Watkins caught eight receptions for 254 yards and five touchdowns. His receiving yards and receiving touchdowns both broke the previous program record for a single game. It marked his first-ever 200-yard receiving game and his first with multiple touchdowns. All of this came through the first three quarters of action.

Oh, and Watkins was once committed to the Kentucky Wildcats.

Watkins, who hails from Louisville Butler High School, originally committed to Kentucky back in June 2019 as a three-star wide-out from the 2020 recruiting class. But a couple of months later, he flipped to Louisville and ultimately signed with the Cardinals. After a pair of decent seasons at Louisville, he dipped into the transfer portal and was once again on Kentucky’s radar. However, Watkins spurned the ‘Cats one more time, landing at Ole Miss where he’s been ever since.

After being named an All-SEC Honorable Mention as a senior in 2023, he returned for a super-senior season in 2024 with the Rebels. 12 days following the birth of his first child, Watkins etched his name into the Ole Miss history books.

“I’ve always loved football since I was a kid and this meant a lot to me, personally, but now I think I play the game for a bigger reason other than myself,” Watkins said after his impressive performance. “I told (Caden) Prieskorn last week, I was like, ‘Man, I don’t even want to put my daughter down.’ I really hate being away from her right now.

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“I know if I just keep doing what I need to do on the football field things will take care of herself and make sure she’s good for the rest of her life. That’s all that matters to me now. It’s bigger than me now. It’s all about her.”

This season, Watkins has recorded 25 catches for 549 yards and seven touchdowns. Those seven scores are just one fewer (8) than all of the Kentucky pass-catchers have combined through nine games in 2024.