Notre Dame CB Nick Watkins holds his own against Ohio State

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GLENDALE, Ariz. — A prescient Brian Kelly predicted in the days leading up to the Fiesta Bowl that Ohio State would throw toward sophomore cornerback Nick Watkins early and often — “I sure would pick on him if I (were) them,” Kelly said. 

That’s exactly what the Buckeyes did in their 44-28 win over Notre Dame in the Fiesta Bowl on Friday. And for a guy who hadn’t played meaningful snaps in in 2015, he did well to compete against a talented Ohio State receiver corps on the first day of 2016. 

“We knew he was going to be a target,” Kelly said. “But here is what we asked him to do. They're going to throw it out there, make the tackle. He was holding on for dear life most of the time. I love the fact that he was out there and he was not afraid of the moment.”

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Watkins was the next man in for another next man in, being thrown into his first career start after junior Devin Butler broke his foot in practice on Monday. Butler had previously replaced senior KeiVarae Russell, who broke his leg Nov. 21 against Boston College. 

Against Ohio State, Watkins made three tackles but, more importantly, wasn’t the culprit on the kind of explosive plays that plagued Brian VanGorder’s defense this season. 

“He didn't give up any big plays,” Kelly said. “We just asked him to play top down and keep it in front of you, make the tackles, let the front seven handle what they can handle.”

Watkins and Butler will compete to start opposite senior-to-be Cole Luke next fall, with Russell seeming likely to declare for the NFL Draft. Russell said after the Fiesta Bowl he’ll decide “soon,” and added that his decision won’t go unnoticed (which seems code for an Instagram announcement). Russell always planned on turning pro after his senior season, and because of his 2014 academic suspension, he’d have to successfully appeal to the NCAA to be granted a fifth year of eligibility. 

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But, like Kelly, Russell thought Watkins competed well in his first career start, which would be a good building block on which the DeSoto, Texas native can grow heading into 2016.

“I think he did okay,” Russell said. “You always have ups and downs, especially at the cornerback position. … He had his ups, he had his downs, but I think he did what he could to help us go out there and win.”

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