From walk-on to pro, Watson used to being underrated

Kendall Watson is used to having to prove people wrong.

“I’ve always been in situations where I have been somewhat underrated or looked over,” said the Saskatchewan Roughriders receiver. “I’m a smaller guy – I’m not 6’4” or whatever else. I get that – sometimes people look at me and I don’t necessarily pass the eye test for what you think of when you think of a top-tier athlete.

“It is what it is but I’ve made it this far. It has always been fun for me.”

While many people might have counted out the 5-foot-10, 183-pound product of Chattanooga, Tenn., he will suit up for his third pro game on Saturday when the Riders host the Calgary Stampeders. Kickoff for the CFL game at Mosaic Stadium is set for 5 p.m.

“I’m still learning every day. Every day is a new experience for me. I am still adjusting to Regina and adjusting to being in Canada. It’s a new experience every day and I am enjoying it,” Watson said.

While his journey has taken him to Saskatchewan, it started on the gridiron when he was four years old.

“I’m really the first big football player from my family. We had a lot of basketball players. For me to go through this journey, it’s pretty cool and I know my family is proud of me,” Watson said.
But it wasn’t love at first snap for Watson and the sport.

“My parents would tell you I didn’t want to play,” the 24-year-old said. “As I got into it and got better, I enjoyed it.

“I enjoy being competitive and the camaraderie that comes with football, so when it was time for me to go to college, football was an available option for me to continue my career and that’s what I wanted to do.”

But he wouldn’t be handed anything if he wanted to play football at the college level. He was a walk-on player at Samford.

“Being a walk-on wasn’t much different than (other challenges). It was just a new challenge, a new experience and I was able to make the most of it,” Watson said. “It wasn’t always easy but it was worth it and I’m glad I went through it.

“It turned me into the person I am today.”

Being a walk-on helped instill a certain mindset in the wide receiver.

“You always know that it’s on you and nothing will be given to you,” Watson said. “It’s been a great tool for me not just in sports, but in life in general.

“Always have that chip on your shoulder and always go out willing to prove your worth. It has been helpful.”

Watson went on to dress for 47 games over five seasons with Samford’s Bulldogs. He had a breakout senior year, catching 88 passes for 1,034 yards and 10 touchdowns.

The Riders reached out to him shortly after his senior year. Watson said he kept in contact and reached out to a number of players who he knew played in the CFL at some point – one of them being former Riders slotback Adarius Bowman.

“He just told me all the ins and outs of it. He told me it’s a good league and they do things the right way and that there’s a lot of good opportunities out there,” Watson said. “He told me to seriously look into it so that’s what I did.

“He was really helpful to me and I was grateful for the advice he gave me.”

He signed with the Riders and attended 2023 training camp in Saskatoon. There was plenty of stiff competition at the position this season, but Watson managed to emerge in the eyes of the coaching staff.

“He knew the offence and he knew it very well. He was a guy we felt like we could play at multiple spots and he would be able to do it,” Riders head coach Craig Dickenson said.

That ability to grasp the playbook quickly is something Watson takes pride in.

“What you’re supposed to do on the field, that’s the No. 1 thing you can have,” Watson said. “Being able to know what I’m supposed to do at all times and knowing multiple positions as well I felt like would give me the opportunity to make this team and be as available as possible.”

While he was on the practice roster to start the season, Watson made his debut in Week 3 against the Stamps due to a bevy of injuries at the position. He recorded three catches for 31 yards.

“It was cool for me, but it was really cool seeing my family and stuff seeing how proud they were of me,” Watson said. “That’s one of the things I want to do – I want to make my family proud. To see they were proud of that and excited about that, that was the best part of it.”

He followed it up in the next game, a 12-11 win over the Edmonton Elks, with three catches for 43 yards but also hauling in a pivotal two-point conversion.

“It was a really cool experience. I’m grateful I was able to play and was prepared in the moment,” Watson said.

He’ll try to help the Riders earn another win over the Stamps and clinch the season series over the West Division rivals.

“The goal is to come out this Saturday and get the win,” Watson said. “I’ll just do whatever it takes.”