Ole Miss senior wide receiver Jordan Watkins, due to nursing an injury, had been a non-factor the first three games of the 2024 football season with just one catch for 28 yards, but lightning struck against Wake Forest in the fourth game of the season.

Jordan only had one catch in the game against the Demon Deacons as well, but it was for a 75-yard touchdown in the first quarter to give the Rebels a 14-3 lead.

“The safety and the corner both took Cayden (Lee) on an out route. It’s a play we had been working on all week. We knew it was going to be there, but we didn’t know it would be that open,” said Jordan, who ran a go pattern and was all alone 40 yards from the line of scrimmage.

“The only thing I was thinking was don’t drop it. I dropped one like that against ULM last year. That one slipped through my hands and was going to make sure this one didn’t. I was happy to catch it and take it all the way.”

After four games for Jordan Watkins to have just two catches – it wasn’t supposed to be this way, so we asked, what’s been going on with you, Mr. Watkins?

“I was battling some injuries during camp. Now I am healthy and working my way back into the rotation,” he explained. “We have a great receiving corps – we have guys who can score from anywhere and Cayden has made a big jump from last year to this year. He has been making tremendous plays. He’s doing his thing.

“Juice (Wells) and Tre (Harris) are also doing great. There was no rush to get back on the field because we have guys who can go out there and make plays. I was not going to rush coming back until I was fully healthy.”

Watkins’ approach was prudent, but he will be needed when the tougher games roll around. He says he is ready.

“I’m OK now,” he declared.

Jordan appreciates what he is seeing out of quarterback Jaxson Dart too.

“His decision making has been spot on,” Watkins noted. “He doesn’t force anything and he’s able to make big decisions really really fast. He always keeps us in the best possible position to succeed.

“We also like it when we see him show some emotion and still be able to make plays and keep his head. You don’t see the passion he plays with in everyone, and you sure don’t see many of them running over defenders like he did on his TD run against Wake Forest to jump start our second half offense. He’s not afraid to lower his shoulder and get dirty and that fires us up.”

Jordan has been the punt returner the past two seasons, but now the Rebels have Micah Davis back there and that’s fine with Watkins.

“Micah is doing a great job back there. If I’m needed, I’m ready, but I feel like Micah has done a super job so why change?” Watkins asked.

Watkins gave a lot of credit for the fast start the Ole Miss has had to the defense.

“I mean they haven’t given up a touchdown through three games,” he began. “They are really good. Wake had chances to score and our defense just stopped them. Our offense has been able to lean on our defense.

“They tell us they have our backs so if we have a turnover or something we can count on them.”

Watkins closed by saying there’s not a whole lot the Ole Miss offense can do better, but each week there are things to clean up.

“We left some points on the field against Wake and we had a couple of turnovers, but for the most part the offense has been playing really well. We’ve been running the ball well and our numbers have been great,” he ended. “The main thing for us is staying consistent, being physical and continue to produce in the run game and the passing game.”

Jordan Watkins has not been a big factor so far this season, but now he’s healthy and look for him to contribute more and more.

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