Austin Watkins is a Vertical Threat WR for UAB. Austin's 2019 season ranks in the 100th percentile nationally by opponent-adjusted EPA per play across 75 plays — a elite rate for the WR.
Elite deep receiver who stretches the field. Wins downfield, commands safety attention, and creates the threat that opens underneath routes.
Players from 2014–2024 matched on EPA efficiency, play volume, and adjusted value tier — not just one metric.
| Player | Team | Yr | Plays | WEPA/play | Line val | Total EPA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Quadree Henderson | Pittsburgh | 2016 | 63 | 0.530 | 1.6 | 33.4 |
| DeAndre Hughes | Air Force | 2021 | 60 | 0.470 | 1.3 | 28.2 |
| Keytaon Thompson | Mississippi State | 2017 | 70 | 0.460 | 1.2 | 32.2 |
| Savion Williams | TCU | 2024 | 56 | 0.450 | 1.1 | 25.2 |
| Javion Posey | Florida Atlantic | 2020 | 53 | 0.450 | 1.4 | 23.8 |
Comps are statistical — efficiency, volume, and value tier all factor in. Style and conference context differ.
| Wk | Opponent | Result | Opp SP+ | Rec | Rec Yds | Avg | Rec TD | Long | EPA/play |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | vsAlabama State | W24-19 | — | 2 | 51 | 25.5 | 0 | 37 | 0.30 |
| 2 | @Akron | W31-20 | -29.8 | 3 | 95 | 31.7 | 2 | 40 | 0.38 |
Usage = share of team plays (CFBD has no true snap counts).
Rec 10 · Rec Yds 159 · Avg 15.9 · Rec TD 1
| 4 | vsSouth Alabama | W35-3 | -20.3 | 6 | 90 | 15.0 | 1 | 33 | 1.06 |
| 5 | @Western Kentucky | L13-20 | 1.7 | 4 | 53 | 13.3 | 0 | 15 | 0.61 |
| 6 | vsRice | W35-20 | -18.0 | 5 | 78 | 15.6 | 1 | 36 | 1.56 |
| 7 | @UTSA | W33-14 | -23.7 | 6 | 167 | 27.8 | 1 | 67 | 2.07 |
| 8 | vsOld Dominion | W38-14 | -24.4 | 5 | 121 | 24.2 | 0 | 39 | 0.77 |
| 10 | @Tennessee | L7-30 | 10.8 | 3 | 34 | 11.3 | 0 | 23 | 0.29 |
| 11 | @Southern Miss | L2-37 | -4.8 | 4 | 74 | 18.5 | 0 | 30 | 0.45 |
| 12 | vsUTEP | W37-10 | -25.6 | 1 | 45 | 45.0 | 0 | 45 | 0.47 |
| 13 | vsLouisiana Tech | W20-14 | 0.2 | 3 | 75 | 25.0 | 0 | 45 | 0.88 |
| 14 | @North Texas | W26-21 | -6.1 | 2 | 7 | 3.5 | 0 | 8 | -0.45 |
| 15 | @Florida Atlantic | L6-49 | -0.6 | 3 | 43 | 14.3 | 0 | 19 | 0.19 |
| 1 | vsApp State | L17-31 | 11.3 | 10 | 159 | 15.9 | 1 | 41 | 0.70 |
