The third time for Justin Watkins is or isn't the charm based on your perspective. The former four-star member of Dan Mullen’s 2018 signing class in Gainesville is back in the news for the wrong reasons as Watkins is currently in the Alachua County Jail following a charge of violating his probation. Watkins was put on probation after he was arrested and accused of hitting/strangling his girlfriend on Florida’s campus.
The defensive back never got the chance to play for the Gators following his summer arrest back in July of 2018 and announced on Twitter, “I will be leaving the University of Florida to better my opportunities.”
Watkins was rated as a top 100 prospect in the 2018 recruiting cycle and an Under Armour All-American coming out of East Ridge High School in Clermont, Fla. Watkins signed with the Gators over scholarship offers from Alabama, LSU, FSU and Texas.
Even though Watkins hasn't been with the program for over a year it's been a pretty rough off season for Dan Mullen for the Gators.