Jaylen Watkins sat on the stage in a auditorium packed with his fellow Cape Coral High School students Thursday, listening to a parade of speakers laud his athletic accomplishments and character.
But he wasn't smiling.
That's because Watkins knew what was coming after he formally accepted an offer to play in the 2010 U.S. Army All-American Bowl - his speech.
"Once I got that out of the way, I could relax," said a more comfortable Watkins following the ceremony.
The Seahawks senior quarterback and defensive back is one of only 90 players nationwide selected to play in the all-star game, held on Jan. 9 at the Alamodome in San Antonio.
"It's a pretty elite group," said Cape Coral football coach Mike Goebbel. "It's so well-deserved. He's obviously a great athlete but he's a better person."
Watkins - who has verbally committed to the University of Florida - is the third player chosen from Southwest Florida, joining West Virginia running back Noel Devine (North Fort Myers, 2007) and Florida offensive lineman Nick Alajajian (Naples, 2009).
"The first two, they're awesome players," he said. "Noel's been great at West Virginia, and I'll be joining Nick at Florida."
Watkins leads the Seahawks with 1,428 yards of total offense (851 passing, 577 rushing).
He's thrown for 11 touchdowns and rushed for seven.
In its 10th season, the U.S. Army All-American Bowl has more than 100 of its alumni playing in the NFL.
Included in that group are Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson, Tennessee Titans quarterback Vince Young and Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver DeSean Jackson.
