Watson excels in Spring
By TIM CASEY
Senior Staff Writer
Ask Bob Davie about sophomore linebacker Courtney Watson and the Irish head coach offers two contrasting answers.
"He's like an Anthony Denman," Davie said after Saturday's practice. "You almost pattern him exactly like we did with Denman. He's about on the same kind of course as Denman is on."
A few minutes later, Davie had another viewpoint on the Sarasota, Fla. resident.
"If you try to compare him with Anthony Denman right now, that's tough," Davie said. "He hasn't been in that situation as much as Anthony was in. It's a work in progress right now with him."
The lesson? It's still too early to judge a player that has logged less than 14 minutes in two seasons.
But the comparisons between Watson and Denman are intriguing. Before suffering a groin injury on Saturday, Watson had been working as the first team inside linebacker, a position Denman held for the past two seasons. In 2000, Denman had a team high 84 tackles, recorded five sacks and was named a second-team Associated Press All-American.
Like Denman, Watson was known more for his offensive production than defensive dominance in high school. During his senior year, Watson ran for 1,220 yards and 15 touchdowns while Denman gained 1,250 yards and rushed for 12 touchdowns in his final season at Rusk High School in Texas.
Like Denman, Watson knew the probability of being the main ball carrier in college was practically zero. Autry Denson, Notre Dame's all-time leading rusher, was here during Denman's freshman and sophomore seasons. When Watson enrolled in the fall of 1999, then-sophomore Tony Fisher and fellow freshman Julius Jones competed for the starting job.
And like Denman, Watson has had some difficulty trying to learn a new position. In his first two seasons, Denman recorded only 34 total tackles and played behind Kory Minor. After seeing no action as a freshman running back, Watson had 11 tackles in 2000.
"You're not just moving to defense, you're moving to five yards off the ball," Watson said. "You're right across guys that are 300 pounds. Playing close to the ball, reactions are so much faster."
Fittingly, Denman was among those who helped the then 205-pound Watson adjust in January 2000, when Watson switched positions.
"I learned a great deal from him," Watson said. "I was just sitting there, absorbing it all, just like a sponge. Everything he had to say, I listened."
Besides receiving advice from his fellow linebackers, the 6-foot-1 Watson also worked on his frame. He played last season at 220 pounds and is up to 230 pounds this spring. He joined returning starters Tyreo Harrison and Rocky Boiman in the middle of the Irish defense for the first few spring practices.
But on Saturday, during an individual drill, Watson hurt his right groin.
"I went to make a cut and my foot just slipped from under me," Watson said. "I felt a sharp pain right then. I tried to keep going with it but my coaches told me it really wasn't worth it. It hurts pretty bad right now."
Freshman Mike Goolsby took Watson's spot during Saturday's scrimmage while sophomore Justin Thomas played with the second team defense. It is unclear whether Watson will return for the remaining practices. And although Watson is slightly ahead of Goolsby as of now, Davie still has not named a starter for the fall.
"Right now, I'm just trying to learn," Watson said. "I can't think of taking the spot of Anthony Denman. You're not just going to find somebody to replace him."
NOTES:
u The Irish held their first scrimmage of the spring on Saturday. It consisted of 40 plays and Matt LoVecchio, Carlyle Holiday and Jared Clark received almost an equal number of snaps. But due to the gusting winds and muddy field, the emphasis was placed more on the running game.
"From an individual evaluation, there's nothing to be evaluated right now as to who did good, who did poorly," Davie said. "We got out of it without anybody getting hurt, which you knock on wood every time you come off the field after doing that."
u Prior to the scrimmage, the Irish worked on special teams. Nick Setta kicked the field goals while Joey Hildbold was the punter. Setta and David Miller competed for kick-off duties, a position held last year by graduating senior Matt McNew.
"I'm really concerned about our kickoff guy," Davie said. "That's probably the biggest concern of mine in special teams. Based on today, I don't know if we have one."
u Last year, Davie waited until July to announce the captains. This year, that may change.
"There's a good chance we'll do it the last week of spring, maybe the day before the spring game or maybe announce it at the spring game," Davie said. "But I'm not 100 percent sure."
Speaking of captains, Grant Irons may be named one for the second straight year. Irons, who suffered a season-ending shoulder injury during last season's Nebraska game, has been held back this spring. He did not scrimmage on Saturday.
"He started some sled work (on Saturday)," Davie said. "Grant's going to be OK."
All Sports Stories for Monday, April 9, 2001
