UNM football: CB Cam Watts runs blazing 40-yard dash at Lobos' pro day
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This was not what Cam Watts would鈥檝e preferred 鈥� or really, what he was prepared for. Less than a month ago, the redshirt senior cornerback was awaiting word on a waiver granting him one more year of eligibility, one last season with the Lobos.
When it didn鈥檛 happen, Watts had to pivot. Quickly. New Mexico鈥檚 pro day was only a few weeks away and there wasn鈥檛 a whole lot of training to be done in that span. 鈥淚 was a little behind everybody else,鈥� Watts admitted Monday. Nor was he totally sure he鈥檇 be able to enter in a pro day he always figured was a year away.
Any and all uncertainty he might have had lasted less than five seconds on Monday.
Watts was perhaps the biggest standout at UNM鈥檚 pro day, running the 40-yard dash in 4.31 seconds with scouts from the Detroit Lions, Green Bay Packers and Arizona Cardinals in attendance Monday. The 5-foot-10, 190-pound cornerback鈥檚 hand-timed mark was cross-checked by the Journal with said scouts, resulting in far and away the fastest time among eight prospects participating in the Lobos鈥� annual prospects showcase.
Watts also tested out with 20 bench-press reps of 225 pounds, a 10-foot, 1-inch broad jump and a 39-inch vertical leap 鈥� the highest mark of the day.
鈥淛ust (wanted) to do the best I could,鈥� he said. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 all I can do 鈥� I was blessed with this opportunity (and) took advantage of it. You know, whatever happens, happens.鈥�
And just how fast is 4.31? Compared to prospects tested at , Watt鈥檚 best time would鈥檝e ranked fourth overall behind only Kentucky cornerback Maxwell Hairston (4.28), Texas wide receiver Matthew Golden (4.29), Iowa State cornerback Darien Porter (4.30) and Tennessee wide receiver Dont鈥檈 Thornton Jr. (4.30)
Hairston and Golden are and could very well go in the first round of this year鈥檚 NFL Draft; Porter and Thornton are considered locks to be selected.
After spending last season as a reserve cornerback with UNM, Watts鈥� selection is not nearly as likely or anticipated, but his speed might open the door for a role at the next level.
Namely as a returner. At the behest of scouts, Watts caught punts for the first time in his football career, overcoming a bobbled first kick to settle in for a look at what might be his role at the next level.
鈥淗e just kicked it really far,鈥� Watts chuckled when asked about the first punt. 鈥淏ut, you know, I got accustomed and was able to go out there and grab a couple.鈥�
For now, Watts said he鈥檚 focused on continuing to train for UNM鈥檚 outdoor track and field season after winning the Mountain West indoor title in the 60-meter dash in February. The Texas Tech transfer joined the team over the winter after running unattached in open events this January; his track eligibility has not been affected by his rejected football waiver.
鈥淐ouldn鈥檛 be a winner in track and come out here and run a slow 40,鈥� he laughed.
Prospect notes
ANDREW HENRY: It鈥檚 hard (if not impossible) to say exactly what any professional team thinks of UNM鈥檚 draft hopefuls, so calling any prospect the most likely to be selected or signed across the NFL, CFL or various spring leagues might be a futile venture.
It鈥檚 fair to say running back Andrew Henry is UNM鈥檚 most visible prospect, however, especially after a strong turn in January鈥檚 Shrine Bowl. Monday, he reached most of his goals with 22 bench-press reps, a 10-and-a-half-foot broad jump and a 37-and-a-half-inch vertical.
An official 40 time was not available after Henry鈥檚 workout.
鈥淧robably will be a new wave of coaches hitting me up after today to see the final numbers,鈥� said Henry, who has received pre-draft interest from the Cardinals, Dallas Cowboys and Philadelphia Eagles. 鈥淪o it was really good. We鈥檙e gonna see what the future holds.鈥�
BARAKA BECKETT: The only offensive lineman to test on Monday, left guard Baraka Beckett, said he鈥檚 received pre-draft surveys from the Cowboys and Kansas City Chiefs after
The 6-4, 340-pound Pacific Palisades, Calif. native is also planning on going to a local prospects camp hosted by the Los Angeles Chargers later this week.
After that? Beckett wants to learn how to snap. 鈥淕oing into whatever mini-camp I鈥檓 at, I鈥檓 gonna want to know how to snap at that point,鈥� he said. 鈥淚鈥檝e been practicing it a little bit, but after this Thursday, I鈥檓 gonna focus the next month on learning how to snap.鈥�
OTHERS: Punter Aaron Rodriguez did not bench. Or run. Or jump. 鈥淛ust punting,鈥� he said.
After a strong pro day performance, Rodriguez made it clear: he鈥檇 take a break from his studies at UNM School of Nursing to pursue whatever opportunity came his way.
鈥淚鈥檇 be so blessed, right?鈥� he said. 鈥淣ot too many guys get that chance. And if I have to take a break (and) come back, whatever it is, I鈥檒l definitely see it through 鈥� nursing school is always there.鈥�
Defensive linemen Garrison Walker, Devin Brandt-Epps, Bryce Santana and Kyler Drake also tested Monday.
NFL hopefuls participate in UNM 2025 Pro Day: Photos
