He played college football at Southern Miss and was selected by the Philadelphia Eagles in the sixth round of the 2020 NFL draft.

[4][5] As a redshirt sophomore Watkins led the Golden Eagles with 72 receptions, 889 receiving yards and nine touchdown catches and was named First team All-Conference USA.

[6] Watkins was again a first team All-Conference USA selection as a redshirt junior after catching 64 passes for 1,178 yards and six touchdowns despite missing the first two games of the season due to a suspension.

[7] Watkins announced that he would forgo his final season of NCAA eligibility to enter the 2020 NFL draft.

[13] In Week 15 against the Arizona Cardinals, Watkins caught three passes for 40 yards and his first career touchdown reception during the 33–26 loss.

The Steelers then cut him ahead of the 53-man roster deadline on August 27 and re-signed him to the practice squad.