Early Signing Period: Surprise! TCU scores APB Ahmonte Watkins

You can never have too many good running backs.

Wednesday, the Horned Frogs added another to one of the most talented position groups on their team.

Watkins, a four star product out of Klein Forest High School in Houston, is the highest rated player, and only 4* (so far) to sign with TCU Football this cycle. The 5’10”, 173 pound running back holds 22 offers, picking the Horned Frogs over Arizona, Baylor, Miami, A&M, and Texas Tech, among others.

He’s been recorded with a 4.58 40 time but plays much faster than that in pads, and brings a physicality not often seen at his size. Where he really shines is his break away speed; though it might take him a step to get going, once he’s in the field, he gone.

Take a look at what recruiting analyst Gabe Brooks has to say:

Adequate height with lean, athletic build, though somewhat slight. Played small-school Louisiana ball through junior year before moving to Texas. Two-way prospect as all-purpose back/receiver or safety. Possesses outstanding track speed that manifests on the gridiron. Multiple Louisiana 2A state championships in track. PR of 10.71 in the 100 and 21.39 in the 200. Flashes great straight-line explosion. Possesses big-play ability as a runner. Patrols a ton of territory when playing safety. Aware from back end of the defense and shows good ball skills. Athleticism lends to range in coverage. Can improve lateral mobility. Sometimes unnecessarily bounces runs. Will need to show man coverage ability if playing defense. Raw technically and must hone position-specific skill, regardless of eventual positional home. Speedster whose wheels and natural athleticism could lead to impactful role at high-major level, whether as an offensive weapon or a DB.

A three time Louisiana state gold medalist, in the 100 and 200, Watkins could play on either side of the ball when he arrives in Fort Worth. He compares favorably to a former TCU commit — who flipped to Baylor — Trestan Ebner, a running back who was a great pass-catching weapon out of the backfield in his career with the Bears.

Though the Frogs are signing him as a running back, don’t be surprised if Gary Patterson tries to get him to take a look at defense, where Watkins could be the next great safety for TCU. With a running back room that currently features Zach Evans, Darwin Barlow, Daimarqua Foster, and Emari Demercado, the secondary would give Ahmonte a chance to see PT early and often.

Wherever he ends up playing, you can be sure he will be an impact athlete on the field for the Horned Frogs.

Watkins is the 12th commit in what is expected to be a very small class for TCU. You can check out his film below.