Dec. 31--The backup to the backup will have his chance put his best foot forward Friday for Notre Dame.
The next man in after the next man in is sophomore cornerback Nick Watkins, who will start to finish the Irish's season in the Fiesta Bowl against Ohio State, his first such experience as a first-stringer on the team's grandest stage.
Broken feet sidelined starter KeiVarae Russell and his replacement, Devin Butler, who injured his Monday during practice.
That left Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly little choice but to turn to Watkins, who has contributed mostly on special teams.
And Kelly, who said he has no doubt Watkins will play well, also said he has no doubt the No. 7 Buckeyes (11-1) will try to bully him.
"He's going to get picked on," Kelly said. "I sure would pick on him if I was them. I think he'll hold up."
The Irish (10-2) better hope so. The back of Notre Dame's defense has been its albatross this year. Defensive coordinator Brian VanGorder conceded as much Tuesday.
Watkins' pedigree suggests he eventually could become part of the solution. His father, Bobby Watkins, played seven seasons as a defensive back with the Lions. The elder Watkins had 20 interceptions and six fumble recoveries during his career.
Watkins remembered pestering his father to let him play football, of the flag variety, when he was 5 years old. As he grew older, the flag turned to tackle. Nick Watkins was hooked.
"I knew my goal as soon as I touched a football," Watkins said. "I knew what I wanted to do -- be just like him. That's still the goal."
And while he hasn't done much playing at Notre Dame, he hopes this audition will change that. He said the last two years have been frustrating at times -- "I'm not used to sitting down," he said -- but that he knew what he signed up for when he picked the Irish.
He figures he will need a drive or two Friday to get used to his new/old position, some time to calibrate his comfort level.
He has leaned on Russell and Butler throughout the season, but the leans gained some weight when he found out his wait to start was over.
"Devin, KeiVarae, (Cole) Luke, they've all had their say, that they support me and they hope I have a good game," Watkins said.
The secondary also is missing Max Redfield, who was sent home from Arizona on Tuesday for violating team rules. And it has seen injuries claim the services of Avery Sebastian and Drue Tranquill.
"It was just like, 'Yeah, Nick, you're in,'" Watkins said. "I was like, 'All right, go make some plays.'
"I wouldn't say (I'm) nervous. I would say anxious to get out there. I haven't played defense in a while. It just has been practice, special teams."
Practice hasn't been perfect for Watkins, whom Kelly said is not a very good practice player. Watkins didn't disagree. And he still has Kelly's confidence.
"I'd be surprised if he didn't play well," Kelly said.
While his shot is the result of yet another injury, Watkins knows a lot could rest on his new role. He has five tackles in 11 games.
"It's sad circumstances, but (Butler has) been nothing but supportive," Watkins said.
pskrbina@tribpub.com
