Former Dixie State and San Jose State quarterback Malik Watson becomes the second known player who will attend the San Francisco 49ers' local pro day on April 18, according to Draft Diamonds. The other is cornerback Yusef Sterling-Lowe of Texas A&M Commerce.
Dixie State QB Malik Watson will attend the #49ers local day on April 18th
— NFL Draft Diamonds (@DraftDiamonds) April 4, 2018
Watson grew up as a big fan of the 49ers, so playing in the team's local pro day is probably special for him.
"I had a lot because I admired a lot of quarterbacks, but I'd have to say growing up I was the biggest Steve Young fan," Watson told Draft Diamonds in December, "read his book, and have always loved wearing number eight. I always wanted to be a 49er growing up."
Watson's college playing days started at Contra Costa College. As a freshman, he completed 58 percent of his passes for 323 yards with two touchdowns in seven game appearances. As a sophomore, Watson appeared in 11 games while throwing for 2,700 yards with 18 touchdowns. He transferred to San Jose State in 2014.
Watson made just three game appearances for the Spartans in 2015. He used his senior year of eligibility to join Dixie State in 2016 but missed his first year due to injury. In 2017, he completed 59.1 percent of his passes for 1,597 yards with 14 touchdowns and seven interceptions in eight games before missing the rest of the season due to another injury.
Before joining Dixie State, Watson spent a month homeless in San Jose and slept in his car.
"I bounced back and was able to come to Dixie State and make a name for myself in Utah a little bit," Watson told The Spectrum. "I wish I could've played the whole season so I could've made more of a mark, but it was still a blessing nonetheless."
While Watson admired Young's playing ability with the 49ers, he more closely compares himself to Matthew Stafford of the Detroit Lions.
"I would like to think my arm strength and accuracy is comparable," Watson said. "Even though he is a side-arm magician a lot of the times, I would not say that falls into my personal mechanics. However, I do believe our size and physical tools are similar. We are athletic but not known runners or scramblers but usually make plays within the pocket mostly, but definitely can make something happen on the run as well."
