South’s Watterson Headed to UVA-Wise
by STEVE WILMOTH
TriCitiesSports.com
February 6, 2019
KINGSPORT, Tenn. -- The local haul for the UVA-Wise started Tuesday afternoon at Sullivan South High School where Rebel tight end Aaron Watterson made it at least somewhat official with the Cavaliers.
Technically, Watterson could not submit his signed papers until Wednesday morning, but with Sullivan County School out of session that day, Watterson had a signing ceremony in the school’s library in front of family and classmates a day early.
Watterson was happy to be among the first of a strong group of local products to choose UVA-Wise.
“That’s a very good thing,” said Watterson. “We’ve got some real quality local players coming and I think these next four years will be something fun to watch.
Watterson sifted through a number of offers before picking the Cavs. After making his selection, he personally called each coach at Centre, Wheaton, Emory & Henry, Pikeville, Indiana Wesleyan, Union, Brevard, Lindsey Wilson, University of the Cumberlands, Ferrum and Culver Stockton to make his decision known.
“I just felt it was important to do that,” explained Watterson. “I’d developed relationships with all those staffs and they were kind enough to make me an offer to have me come to their school and I wanted to thank them for that.”
Watterson also could have been a preferred walk-on at VMI and potentially ETSU, but felt UVA-Wise was the best fit.
“I loved the coaches there at Wise and the whole program they are building and have going on,” Watterson said.
Another positive was the upcoming conference realignment for the Cavs.
“It’s really a good thing and they are moving into the South Atlantic Conference next year and get to play Carson-Newman and Tusculum,” continued Watterson. “It’s good competition and good football.”
Yet another appeal was second-year Cavs offensive coordinator Klay Koester. Among Koester’s previous stops were Eastern Kentucky, Cumberland University and McMurry University in Abilene, Texas under pass-happy former Kentucky head coach Hal Mumme.
At Cumberland, Koester coached former Science Hill quarterback Justin Snyder, who is now on staff as well with the Cavs.
The 6-4, 205-pound Watterson expects to be a weapon in Koester’s offense.
“They want me to be more of a vertical threat tight end, rather than a blocking tight end like they’ve used in the past,” said Watterson. “They want me to come in, put on a little weight and compete right away.”
Watterson hauled in ten passes for 200 yards and three touchdowns his senior year at South. He plans on entering the nursing program at UVA-Wise.
