Quez Watkins Bio
Terrance Quez Watkins (born June 9, 1998) is an American professional football wide receiver who currently plays for the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League (NFL). Watkins attended Athens High School in Alabama before playing college football at the University of Southern Mississippi, where he established himself as one of the most productive receivers in Conference USA history. The Philadelphia Eagles selected him in the sixth round of the 2020 NFL Draft with the 200th overall pick.
Early Life and Background
Watkins grew up in Athens, Alabama, where he attended Athens High School. During his junior season, he demonstrated his playmaking ability by returning both a punt and a kickoff for touchdowns in the first two games of the year. As a senior, he was named second team 6A All-State after catching 44 passes for 847 yards and 12 touchdowns. His strong performance in high school attracted attention from multiple college programs.
Watkins ultimately chose to play college football at Southern Miss over offers from Georgia Southern, Middle Tennessee State, Western Kentucky, and Samford. His decision to join the Golden Eagles set the foundation for his professional career and showcased his potential as a major-college playmaker.
Path to the NFL
Watkins redshirted his true freshman season at Southern Miss to adjust to the college level. The following year, he showed promise by finishing with 23 receptions for 337 yards and two touchdowns. His development continued rapidly, and as a redshirt sophomore, he led the Golden Eagles with 72 receptions, 889 receiving yards, and nine touchdown catches, earning First-team All-Conference USA honors for the first time.
Despite missing the first two games of his redshirt junior season due to a suspension, Watkins bounced back strongly. He caught 64 passes for 1,178 yards and six touchdowns and was again named First-team All-Conference USA. His consistent excellence over two seasons made him an attractive prospect for NFL teams. After his redshirt junior year, Watkins announced he would forgo his final season of NCAA eligibility and enter the 2020 NFL Draft.
Quez Watkins Career
Philadelphia Eagles (2020–2023)
The Philadelphia Eagles selected Watkins in the sixth round with the 200th overall pick of the 2020 NFL Draft. He was placed on injured reserve on September 6, 2020, but was designated to return and began practicing with the team again on September 29. He was officially activated on October 10. In Week 15 against the Arizona Cardinals, Watkins caught three passes for 40 yards and scored his first career touchdown reception during the 33–26 loss. In his rookie season, he recorded seven receptions for 106 receiving yards and one receiving touchdown in six games.
Watkins established himself as the wide receiver two for the Eagles early in the 2021 season. In Week 2 against the San Francisco 49ers, he had two receptions for 117 receiving yards in the 17–11 loss. During that game, he recorded a 91-yard reception, which was the longest reception by any player in the entire 2021 NFL season. Watkins finished the 2021 campaign with 43 catches for 647 yards and one touchdown, showing his big-play ability.
In the 2022 season, Watkins recorded 33 receptions for 354 receiving yards and three receiving touchdowns. The following year, the Eagles reached Super Bowl LVII against the Kansas City Chiefs. In that game, Watkins had one catch for 8 yards. During the third quarter with the Eagles leading by three points and at the Kansas City 42-yard line, Watkins dropped a pass that would have positioned the Eagles inside the ten-yard line. The Eagles opted for a field goal, extending their lead to six points, but ultimately lost the game 38–35. Watkins played for the Eagles through the 2023 season before moving on.
Pittsburgh Steelers (2024)
On April 1, 2024, Watkins signed a one-year contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers. During the preseason, he posted one catch for 10 yards. The Steelers released him ahead of the 53-man roster deadline on August 27, but re-signed him to the practice squad shortly after.
Arizona Cardinals (2025)
On January 16, 2025, Watkins signed a reserve/future contract with the Arizona Cardinals. He was placed on injured reserve on August 2 and released eight days later, ending his tenure with the Cardinals.
Philadelphia Eagles Return (2025–Present)
On September 24, 2025, Watkins signed with the Philadelphia Eagles practice squad, reuniting with the team that originally drafted him. He signed a reserve/future contract with Philadelphia on January 12, 2026, securing his spot on the roster for the upcoming season.
Driving Style and Strengths
Watkins is known for his speed and ability to stretch the field vertically. His 91-yard reception in 2021 demonstrated his deep-threat capability and his knack for making big plays down the field. He has shown versatility as a receiver who can line up in multiple positions and contribute on special teams as a returner during his college years.
Notable Events and Milestones
Watkins achieved the longest reception of the 2021 NFL season with his 91-yard catch against the San Francisco 49ers. His appearance in Super Bowl LVII represented the pinnacle of his career thus far, though the game also featured a memorable drop that became a talking point. His journey through multiple teams since leaving Philadelphia has shown his resilience in pursuing opportunities in the league.
Quez Watkins Career Statistics
Throughout his NFL career, Watkins has accumulated 98 receptions for 1,249 receiving yards and 6 receiving touchdowns across regular season play through the 2025 season.
College Career Highlights
At Southern Miss, Watkins was a two-time First-team All-Conference USA selection in 2018 and 2019. He finished his college career with over 2,400 receiving yards and demonstrated consistent production as a primary target in the Golden Eagles offense. His 72 receptions in 2018 and 64 receptions in 2019 highlighted his reliability as a go-to receiver at the collegiate level.
NFL Regular Season Statistics
Through the 2025 NFL season, Watkins has played in multiple games across five seasons with the Eagles, Steelers, and Cardinals. His rookie year saw limited action due to injury, but he showed growth in 2021 with his breakout 647-yard season. His career totals reflect a player who has contributed as a depth receiver and occasional big-play threat.
| Season | Team | Receptions | Receiving Yards | Touchdowns |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Philadelphia Eagles | 7 | 106 | 1 |
| 2021 | Philadelphia Eagles | 43 | 647 | 1 |
| 2022 | Philadelphia Eagles | 33 | 354 | 3 |
| 2023 | Philadelphia Eagles | 15 | 142 | 1 |
| 2024 | Pittsburgh Steelers | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Quez Watkins Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Public information regarding Quez Watkins family background and racing lineage is not available. Details about his parents or any family connections to athletics have not been widely reported in sources reviewed.
Personal Life
Quez Watkins was born Terrance Watkins in Athens, Alabama, on June 9, 1998. He played high school football at Athens High School before pursuing his college career at Southern Miss. Information about his marital status, spouse, or children has not been made publicly available. He maintains an active presence on social media platforms.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season marked a transitional year for Watkins. He began the year with the Arizona Cardinals after signing a reserve/future contract in January. However, his time with the Cardinals was cut short due to injury, as he was placed on injured reserve in August and subsequently released. This setback required him to seek opportunities elsewhere in the league.
Watkins found a landing spot with the Philadelphia Eagles practice squad in late September, returning to the franchise that originally drafted him. His familiarity with the organization and coaching staff provided a smooth transition back into the system. The Eagles signed him to a reserve/future contract in January 2026, indicating the team saw value in retaining him for the upcoming season.
Looking ahead, Watkins will aim to earn a spot on the Eagles active roster during training camp and OTAs. His speed and deep-threat ability remain his strongest attributes, and a productive preseason could help him secure a more prominent role in the offense. The Eagles wide receiver room features competition, and Watkins will need to demonstrate consistency in both games and practices to advance his standing with the team.