Buffalo Bills insight into the rare talent, former Clemson WR, Sammy Watkins

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5 things you need to know about Sammy Watkins

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Anna Stolzenburg

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Everything you need to know about the Bills newest WR Sammy Watkins. 

1) He was the 2014 +Orange Bowl MVP.

In his final game at Clemson before declaring his intentions for the +NFL Draft after his junior year, he led Clemson to victory with 16 passes for 227 yards and two touchdowns, earning him the Orange Bowl MVP nod.

2) He’s a record-books kind of guy.

Watkins burst onto the scene as a freshman All-American in 2011 after 82 catches for 1,219 yards and 12 touchdowns, and didn’t slow down. In just 29 starts for Clemson, Watkins became one of only two players in school history with over 5,000 all-purpose yards (5,129) and with 3,000 yards receiving (3,391). He’s the school’s all-time leader in receptions (240) and yards (3,391), is tied for the lead in touchdown catches (27) and is also the only player in school history to catch a pass for a touchdown, carry the ball for a touchdown, return a kick for a touchdown and throw a pass for a touchdown. In total, he set 23 records in his three seasons.

3) He’s as “low maintenance” as C.J., and they’re friends.

“When C.J. Spiller left, I didn’t know if I’d have another one like him, and then Sammy Watkins came along,” said Clemson Head Coach Dabo Swinney told CBS Charlotte. “Obviously, the talent is off the charts but a lot of guys have great talent. It’s the work ethic, the commitment, the humility, the knowledge, the instincts, the toughness. It’s all of those combined that make him a great player. Very low maintenance guy to coach every day. He’s been blue collar since the day he got here.”

Watkins credits Spiller with putting Clemson on the map as a football destination for Florida recruits often drawn to the more local +Florida State Seminoles. Spiller and Watkins are friends from their Clemson days (with no bad blood despite the fact that Watkins broke Spiller’s +Clemson Tigers freshman all-purpose yards record), and are pictured here earlier this year at an NBA game.

4) He grew up a Bills fan.

Watkins told the South Carolina media the Bills were his favorite NFL team growing up. We’re a fan of you too, Sammy. 

5) He plays bigger than his size.

Watkins ran a 4.43 40-yard dash at the Combine, moves well with and without the ball, and is quick in and out of his breaks. Though only 6-1 and 211 pounds, he plays bigger on the field, and big plays largely summarized his college career.

“For me I think I can do just about anything on the field from running back to wide receiver, slot. I can make plays all over the field,” said Watkins. “What I love doing is dominating defenses and I think that’s what I bring to the game. I think that’s going to turn over to the NFL. When I come into the NFL I think I can be that dominant receiver.”