Jordan Watkins

Jordan Watkins (born February 15, 2002) is an American professional football wide receiver and punt returner for the San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Louisville Cardinals and Ole Miss Rebels. Watkins was selected by the 49ers in the fourth round of the 2025 NFL draft.

Early life Watkins was born on February 15, 2002, and grew up in Louisville, Kentucky. He attended Butler Traditional High School in Louisville where he played football as a wide receiver, recording 34 receptions for 679 yards and seven touchdowns as a junior and then 37 receptions for 712 yards and seven touchdowns as a senior. Although initially committed to play college football for the Kentucky Wildcats, Watkins, a three-star recruit, later changed his commitment to the Louisville Cardinals.

College career Louisville Watkins saw limited playing time as a freshman at Louisville in 2020, recording eight receptions for 57 yards, as well as one rush for 23 yards and a touchdown. He also recorded 11 kickoff returns for 198 yards. In 2021, he placed second on the team with 35 catches for 529 yards and four touchdowns after starting 11 games. That same year, Watkins returned eight punt returns for 85 yards and one kickoff return for 28 yards. He entered the NCAA transfer portal following the season. In his first year there, he started 10 games and caught 40 passes for 449 yards and two touchdowns. In 2023, he caught 53 passes for 741 yards and three touchdowns from 11 starts, earning honorable mention All-Southeastern Conference (SEC) honors from College Football Network. He also completed 12 punt returns for 114 yards, including an 70-yard touchdown return in week one against Mercer. He announced a return for a final season in 2024, rather than declaring for the 2024 NFL draft. That week, he earned the Walter Camp National FBS Offensive Player of the Week award. At the 2024 TaxSlayer Gator Bowl, he scored two touchdowns in the fourth quarter, one for 69 yards, to help the Rebels defeat the Duke Blue Devils 52–20 in his 180 reception yard game. Watkins finished the season with 49 receptions for 906 yards and nine touchdowns, as well as three rushing attempts for 20 yards.

Professional career

On April 26, 2025, Watkins was drafted by the San Francisco 49ers in the fourth round with the 138th overall pick in the 2025 NFL draft. His rookie year, Watkins appeared in four games where he completed two receptions for 26 yards.

NFL career statistics

Regular season Year Team Games Rushing Receiving Fumbles 2025 SF 4 0 0 0 0.0 0 0 2 26 13.0 19 0 0 0 Career 4 0 0 0 0.0 0 0 2 26 13.0 19 0 0 0

Personal life Watkins has a daughter who was born in October 2024.