Jaylen Watson High on Hawkeyes After Official

Ohio Athlete Back in Iowa City with Announcement Date Approaching

'24 Toledo (OH) Central Catholic ATH Jaylen Watson. (UI)

Jaylen Watson showed the Iowa Football coaches he was capable of helping them during a Hawkeye prospect camp earlier this month. They offered the Ohio athlete a scholarship right after the performance. 

Watson (5-11, 175) returned to campus this weekend for his official visit. The program shined in his eyes. 

"This visit exceeded all of my expectations," he told HN. "Iowa is definitely a place I can see myself at."

He was part of Iowa's biggest recruiting weekend of the year. He joined prospects verbally committed to the Hawkeyes and some of their top targets beyond that. They spent time with guys already in the program. 

"Bonding with the recruits and the current players on the team now was something that I really enjoyed," Watson said.

Junior defensive back Brendan Deasfernandes played host to Watson during his official. His father, Brendan Deasfernandes Sr., coached Watson in little league football. 

"Me and him already had a bond, so him being my host was like having a brother the whole weekend," Watson said.

He felt at home with the people he didn't know as well coming into the weekend. 

"Something that stood out to me was just the people in general from the coaches all the way down to the support staff," Watson said. "You can just tell what type of culture that is held and how it is truly a family no matter who you are."

Watson received an extended tour of the school, something he didn't do during his camp experience earlier this month. 

"I absolutely loved it and how everything is set up around the campus. Everyone was super welcoming and nice. I loved every second of being on the campus and walking around," he said. 

Watson's uncle, former Iowa running back Fred Russell, has told him great things about the program as well. The Toledo (OH) Central Catholic standout has set his announcement date for July 8 with Iowa, Minnesota, West Virginia, Cincinnati and Maryland being his finalists. 

Some schools see him lining up as a receiver. The Hawkeyes like him in the secondary, where defensive coordinator Phil Parker is leading his recruitment. A former standout at River Rouge (MI) High, Watson shows the speed during his junior highlights that plays on both sides of the ball. 

ESPN, On3, 247Sports and Rivals all rank Watson as a three-star prospect.