MSU cornerback Ashton Watson overcoming adversity
Dave Dye in today’s Detroit News tells the story of Spartan CB Ashton Watson who started the final three games of his freshman season, but eventually lost confidence in himself and also lost his starting spot. Watson stuck it out at MSU and his determination appears to be paying off as he’ll start next weekend’s opener against Kent State.
“I came in my freshman year like I couldn’t be beat,” Watson said. “I had that swagger. You know what I mean? At corner, you’ve got to have that swagger. You’ve got to be the most confident, arrogant guy on that field.
“They threw me out there in the fire, and I played like a freshman.”
Some of the mistakes he made were understandable under the circumstances, but more was expected of him entering his second year after John L. Smith took over as coach.
Watson is also featured in today’s Lansing State Journal story about the Michigan State secondary beginning to jell.
“We ain’t got no choice but to jell,” Watson said. “And I think we’re coming along.”
That’s good news, because the Spartans first game is less than a week away, and their first opponent, Kent State, likes to pass.
“We’ve got a big test next week,” Watson said.
“They throw it and you’ve either got to lock down, or it’s going to be six.”