Freshman tight end transfers from Central
Father: Watt wants to play at University of Wisconsin
By: Daniel Monson
Issue date: 1/16/08 Section: Sports
Freshman J.J. Watt, who started every game this season at tight end, has left the football team and will eventually attend the University of Wisconsin, said father John Watt.
John Watt said his son made the decision based on his own feelings about the situation, and that he trusts his son's judgment.
"It was completely his decision," he said. "He's of the adult age now, and he made up his mind he wanted to leave Central Michigan."
J.J. Watt didn't return a phone call on Tuesday. He declined comment when reached Sunday.
CMU coach Butch Jones said he couldn't disclose full details of why the decision was made.
"We communicate a lot. There's a lot of things that are private between our football program and his family," he said. "There's a lot of things that go into a decision when an individual decides to leave your football program
that is between us.
"
J.J. had some family things going on and felt like he needed to be closer to home, and those are just some things that go into being an 18, 19-year-old kid," Jones said.
Watt was 10th on the team in receptions this season. He caught eight passes for 77 yards. Jones said he isn't worried about the position.
"We've got (redshirt freshmen) Rocky Weaver, and Brandin Friske, and then Andre Moore will be a senior," he said. "I'm excited about our young guys at (tight end)."
Classic class
Jones has been spending the majority of his time in the new year on the recruiting trail before Feb. 6 - the final day for recruits to sign a National Letter of Intent.
On Tuesday he was traveling to Detroit for a recruiting visit, and he said the incoming class is one of the best he's seen at Central.
According to ChippewaInsider.com, CMU has received 18 verbal commitments from players from the 2008 graduating class.
"If Butch Jones feels like it's one of the best classes, then there's no doubt that it is," said site administrator Tom Mehl. "He has a great track record of being a great recruiter. One thing I've said about this staff before, is they are great recruiters. They're very good at scouting and evaluating talent."
Mehl said there's several prospects who stand out.
"I think one of the guys that you're going to see that really has a chance to be special is the defensive tackle John Williams, who could be the next Warren Sapp," he said. "A lot of programs are coming in on these kids, trying to get them to change."
In addition to Williams, who played at Miami's Central High School, CMU has received another verbal commitment from a Florida defensive player. Cornerback Lorenzo White, from Dillard High School in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., spurned an offer from Michigan State to join the Chippewas.
"To make plays, you have to have big corners," Mehl said. "Central has got to get more … scholarship players on a defense that's been depleted."
Mehl said CMU's quarterback of the future - Ryan Radcliff, from Fairview High School in Sherwood Ohio - could also be in the 2008 class.
"Radcliff has the stats people look at the most at the quarterback position," he said. "And everyone looks at him as if he could be the next Dan LeFevour."
Familiar foes
For the third time in two years, CMU will play Purdue on Sept. 20 in West Lafayette, Ind.
"The only thing missing is that maybe we can schedule them for a scrimmage in spring ball," Jones said.
The game is one of two Central Michigan will play against the Big Ten Conference. Central plays Indiana on Nov. 1 in Bloomington, Ind. CMU also plays Georgia on Sept. 6 in Athens, Ga.
"This season's schedule was extremely challenging, and I think next year's schedule will be even more so challenging," Jones said. "A lot of people think (Georgia) is the best team in the country. They return the bulk of their players. It's extremely demanding, but in there lies great opportunities for our program as well."
The team opens at home on Aug. 28 against Eastern Illinois.
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