I am certain that each of you review The Alliance website ( www.naaaa.org ) each week with baited breath to see what game is going to be the upcoming Game of the Week.  This week is a bonus game that wasn't listed on the schedule.  The rivalry game of USC against UCLA was this past weekend and there are three Watkins Alumnus on the UCLA team,  Marcedes Lewis, Robert Kibble, and Shawn Oatis.  This was the last regular season Game of Marcedes'  career at UCLA and he has left his legacy at the tight end position.  Marcedes promises to be one of the top selections of this year's draft and certainly the first tight ends to be chosen.  This is an exciting time of his career and life as he passes the torch off to two younger UCLA players in Kibble and Oatis. 

 

Oatis in his red shirt year has taken this opportunity to concentrate on his academics as he has forecasted a 3.6 GPA for his semester.  Kibble is achieving similar fetes in the classroom while contributing on special teams.  Kibble has outperformed all of the expectations of his coaches and has displayed the heart of a lion.  Although this game didn't go as they wished the future is bright.  Marcedes will be leaving some big shoes to fill, but we have two fine young men who will be up for the task. 

 

Watkins Alumnus have taken me to three new stadiums for major college institutions to see them play.  They are The Big House (Michigan's Stadium), The Coliseum (USC's Stadium) and The Swamp (Florida's Stadium).  We have a new group of young men competing for this year's award and they promise to take me to even more, although there aren't many left.  In case you haven't taken notice The Watkins Award is growing, and the nation is beginning to take notice.  Our Watkins men are achieving the highest honors in the classroom and on the field.  Next year's updates will include Heisman candidates and other college award candidates.  But I am so proud to say that the Watkins Trophy will remain on the top of each mantle proudly displayed for all to see.  More importantly, the good works of these young men off the field will speak louder than any of their college plays on the field.

The Game of the week this past weekend was Florida vs Florida State.  Florida features Jemalle Cornelius as a starting receiver and at Florida State with Ernie Sims as the starting linebacker.  I have written about Ernie a few times, but he continues to astound me with his humbleness in interviews and his demeanor toward others.  This is the third game that featured Ernie this year and he keeps getting better and better.  I am certain that he will get All American honors in his Junior campaign with Florida State.  I speak to his dad frequently and he has a ministry in Tallahassee helping kids through athletics.  Our organizations share similar missions.  I have asked him to write a book on raising two sons, he and his wife have done so well.  He just stressed the importance of keeping God first and having faith as you attempt to teach life's lessons to your kids.  It is no doubt that Ernie Sims III is the leader on his team and one of the best linebackers in college football.  It has been a pleasure to see him so many times this year.

 

This may be the first game of the week featuring Jemalle Cornelius, but I guarantee it won't be the last.  Jemalle is a junior at the University of Florida and is the starting receiver.  As the son of a pastor he has chosen to carry the torch of helping others, and will have a degree which will allow him to do so more effectively.  He will be graduating this year with a GPA over 3.0 and starting on his masters degree this summer.  Thanks to instant messaging I chat with his dad periodically and we both agree that next year is going to be a tremendous year for Jemalle.  He had two incredible catches on Saturday for first downs, as the Gators rolled to victory.  I am looking forward to a passing game which features him more.  Similar to Ernie's dad, the foundation that Pastor Cornelius has laid has been very strong.  It has positioned Jamalle for success in college and will sustain him in the future.  Whew I just got a chill thinking about it.  Two young men from Florida leading their Universities to athletic success, while positioning themselves to empower young kids throughout the nation.  Now that is powerful.  The Force of Watkins Men Nationwide!