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Darius has been one of the most dynamic players ever
to play in the GFFL. Since it's inception Darius has been the key factor for the Lightning coached by Larry Russ.
Although he has not won a championship yet Darius has been a part of 2 All-GFFL teams and remains the premier receiver in
the league. He also stars on defense making big plays at the safety position.
College
Career
Watts played
48 career games at Marshall,
he recorded 272 receptions for
4,031 yards (14.8 avg.) and 47 touchdowns.
His 272 career receptions ranked fifth all-time in NCAA Division I-A history and were a Mid-American Conference record while only Troy Edwards of Louisiana Tech
(50 in 1996-98) had more touchdown receptions in a career in NCAA Division I-A history than Watts' MAC-record 47 career touchdowns.
Additionally, his 4,031 career receiving yards were topped only by Mike Barber (4,262, 1985-88) in school history.
In 2000,
Watts was one of only two true freshmen to play for Marshall, starting four games to record 36 catches for 616 yards (17.1
avg.) with six touchdowns. He earned First-team All-MAC honors in 2001 as a sophomore, and was one of 11 semifinalists for the Biletnikoff Award, recording career-highs
in receptions (91) and receiving yards (1,417), a 15.6 yards-per-reception average, along with an NCAA-high 18 touchdowns
that ranked third on the school's single-season list. His 91 receptions ranked fourth all-time in school history for a single-season,
and he recorded the most catches in a season since Marshall returned to Division I-A competition by passing the 90 receptions
by Randy Moss in 1997. He tied
for the second-most receptions in MAC history, his yardage total was third best and his touchdown total tied him for the second
best in MAC history as well. As a junior in 2002,
he was preseason All-America selection. He also earned First-team All-MAC honors with 71 receptions for 1,030 yards (14.7
avg.) and 12 touchdowns and became the MAC's All-Time touchdown receptions leader. As a senior in 2003, he Watts was a team capitan for the second consecutive season and he recorded 74 receptions
for 968 yards (13.1 avg.) and 11 touchdowns.
Professional Career
[edit] National Football League (2004–2007)
Watts was chosen in the second round (54th overall) by the Denver Broncos in the 2004 NFL Draft.
As a rookie in 2004, Watts caught 31 passes for 385 yards and one touchdown for
an average of 14.8 ypc. He played in all 16 games, starting two. Watts carried
the ball five times for 33 yards and recorded one tackle as well. In 2004 he tied for the fifth-most receptions by a rookie
in Broncos history.
After an impressive first season, he
recorded only two receptions for 22 yards during his second season. He was inactive for the team's final ten games. After
another inconsistent pre-season the Broncos released him on September 2, 2006.
The New York Giantssigned him to their practice squad and signed him to the team after the they lost to the New Orleans Saints
on December 24, 2006. The Giants re-signed him for the 2007 season on March 23,
2007. He was released by the Giants on July 20, 2007.
Arena Football League
Watts
signed with the Philadelphia Soul on Thursday January 31, 2008. As a rookie in
the Arena Football League, he recorded 38 receptions for 376 yards and five touchdowns.
He also won his first championship at the professional level when the Soul defeated the San Jose SaberCats 59-56 in ArenaBowl XXII. Ironically, Watts wasn't the only person on
the Soul team to have a connection to the state of West Virginia, where he attended
Marshall University. He along with fullback / linebacker Wes Ours, and
head coach Bret Munsey all had connections
to the state. Ours was an All-American Fullback at West Virginia University, Munsey
was born in the Charleston and attended, played, and coached at Concord College.
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