FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas defensive coordinator John Chavis often caps his responses to questions at his Monday press conferences with the line “there’s no doubt about that.”
Earlier this week, he recited the phrase when asked if senior defensive lineman Armon Watts, a relative unknown across the SEC and even to many Razorbacks fans, has performed at a level this season that would garner NFL looks in the near future.
“I think he’s earned that attention,” said Chavis, who has coached 70 NFL draft picks in his long career. “He’s got the body that they’re looking for, and certainly we’re pleased with what he’s done for us here. I think he’ll finish this season out strong and there will be more football ahead for him, no question.”
In a season filled with plenty of disappointment on both sides of the football, Watts’ play has truly been one of the feel-good stories of Chad Morris’ first season at Arkansas. The St. Louis native, prior to this fall, had played just more than 100 career snaps. Now, he’s tied for most sacks in the nation by a defensive tackle (7).
Razorbacks safety Kam Curl said he saw Watts’ breakout season coming all offseason and that the 6-5, 298-pound senior is more than deserving of the attention he’s received. He’s also kept his head on straight through the personal success and remained humble.
“I just took ability, took my God-given tools, took the coaching, took the grinding to a whole other level and it’s paid off,” Watts said. “The key thing about it is being consistent, and that’s what I pride myself on.
“You have to take it one week at a time, so that’s how I approach it.”
Watts has recorded 2.5 sacks in the Razorbacks’ last three games, getting back into a disruptive rhythm after finishing with just one in losses to Auburn, Texas A&M, Alabama and Ole Miss. He began the season with a strip sack against Eastern Illinois that led to an Arkansas touchdown and has, surprisingly, remained the Razorbacks’ most consistent pass rusher.
Junior linebacker Scoota Harris, leading the SEC and 17th nationally with 105 tackles, said it’s not difficult on tape to see what has made Watts so successful this season.
“He never gives up,” Harris said. “Even with double-team blocks, he is just giving moves just to get free and working hard for his sacks. … He has had a great season just coming on in a new scheme and playing at a high level. His play speaks for itself.”
Watts is the first Razorbacks player with at least seven sacks in a season since Deatrich Wise finished with eight in 2015. Only seven Arkansas players have reached that plateau since 2000, making Watts’ meteoric rise all the more special.
Ty Storey said it’s “been awesome” to watch Watts, a quiet guy by nature, make a name for himself in his final season. Playing on Sundays has always been a dream for Watts.
“It’s crazy because it’s all coming at once with the success I’ve had this season,” Watts said. “I guess now it’s reality and it’s starting to set in.
“I have to take it up a notch.”