Birmingham Stallions WR Austin Watkins Impresses In NFL Debut | USFL
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Stallions WR Austin Watkins Impresses In NFL Preseason Debut

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A couple of weeks ago, the Cleveland Browns signed Birmingham Stallions WR Austin Watkins. He saw some action during the NFL’s Hall Of Fame Game last night, and did not disappoint.

Watkins finally got on the field in the second half, and ended up leading the team with 35 receiving yards. He caught two passes – with the first being an impressive diving catch for a first down.

Then, just a couple of plays later, Watkins ran a smooth slant route – putting the defender on skates – before waltzing into the end zone for the go ahead touchdown.

His performance ultimately led to the preseason win for the Cleveland Browns, showcasing his skill sets quite well during the limited minutes he was given.

For those of us who watched Austin Watkins in the USFL this past season, this was no surprise.

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Watkins posted 197 receiving yards for the Stallions in 2023, scoring the opening touchdown of the season.

In addition, he won the Championship with Birmingham on July 1st, on the exact same field he played on last night.

It’s excellent to see athletes such as Austin Watkins taking full advantage of their opportunities. Two other USFL alumni were featured in this game: OT Hunter Thedford, and Safety Lorenzo Burns (three tackles). Both played for the Cleveland Browns in this game.

Final Thoughts

Had it not been for the platform – and the national exposure – that the USFL provided him with, who knows if this opportunity would have come along.

You can stay up to date on all these USFL to NFL signings with our official tracker.

What are your thoughts on Austin Watkins’ performance with the Cleveland Browns? Which USFL player will sign with the NFL next? Let us know down in the comments below, or join the conversation on Discord!