Waters wants a chance
By Craig HaubertThe recruiting process can be a tough one for many prospects, but not always for the same reasons. Some need to pare down the list of offers they have and try and decide where they will visit while thousands of college fans wait and see if they pick their favorite school. That's a pretty pressure-loaded decision for a 17-year-old kid to make.
Where's he going to school?
"Anywhere that can offer me a D-I scholarship," says Waters.
ESPN's 54th-rated running back prospect, the Buda-Hays High star is a converted fullback with very good speed to match his size, and that allowed him to be a featured back in 2005. He is a stocky back combining power, speed, and elusiveness.
His senior year was the first time that he got to carry the load, but he proved he was up to the task, racking up 1,800 total yards and scoring 33 touchdowns. These are impressive stats for a running back from a Texas 5A school that is still learning the nuances of the position. Despite the ability Waters shows and the numbers he put up, interest seems to be lukewarm at best right now.
He said that right now he has no offers and has been on no official visits. He is receiving interest from New Mexico and SMU, as well as nearby I-AA Texas State, but as of now he is just playing the waiting game, hoping for his opportunity to prove all the skeptics wrong.
Waters' coaches have reminded him not to get down and have also talked about the possibility of playing junior college to get more exposure. While these are pieces of advice he is listening to, he knows he can get it done as a Division I back. He also knows he can improve and feels he can use his size more to his advantage.
"I don't always use my size, especially inside the 10-yard line," he said. "Sometimes I will try and get to the outside instead of just squaring up my shoulders and getting up field."
Waters admits he is still learning what he is capable of as a featured back, he has also shown that he can improve. Waters went from a junior at Madison High, where he played fullback, running back and linebacker, to a senior at Hays, where he played only tailback. He attributes that change in position and responsibility to the improvements he made in speed in the offseason.
Waters trained hard between his junior and senior year to improve his speed by applying a hard work ethic and training with strength shoes. He said he used the shoes to go through cone drills and to help with his acceleration. The hard work paid off, as he improved his vertical from 25" to 34" and improved his 40-time from about a 4.6 to a low 4.5.
Most important, though, his new coaches saw the improvement from the film that they had watched of his junior year and felt he was the man to carry the load for them. Waters did not let his new coaches down, helping his team to a 10-2 record. In addition to the speed that he developed, he also realized the importance of being a complete, all-around back and has worked hard on being able to catch the ball and block.
Waters wants to be the total package and feels he can bring that to the table. Now all he needs is the chance. He admits that colleges call, but no one has stepped up to the plate with an offer. With national signing day approaching, Waters is trying to remain patient and optimistic. There have been many good and deserving players who have slid through the Division I cracks, but Waters is hoping he won't be among them.
"I think I can get to the next level and be a pretty good back. I have the size and I feel I can do it."
Waters Q&A
Scouts Inc.: What is your favorite NFL team?
Amadeus Waters: Dallas Cowboys.
Scouts Inc.: Who is your favorite player, and do you use his play as a model?
Waters: Michael Vick overall, and as far as running backs, Ricky Williams before he left and now Kevin Jones. I look at Ricky Williams especially from his college days. I watch old game film and see how he approached the game. Like how he went in there and pounded opponents in the first half then in the second half used his speed after he had worn them down.
Scouts Inc.: What is it about your position that you love?
Waters: Having the ball in my hands and knowing I can do something special. Also I just like running the ball, even from when I was a kid playing flag football.
Scouts Inc.: Now that the season is over, do you feel you accomplished your goals?
Waters: My goals for the season were to score 25 touchdowns and rush for 2,000 yards. I felt I came close -- I scored 33 touchdowns and ran for 1,600 yards.
Scouts Inc.: Do you have a pregame ritual?
Waters: Yes, praying to God. I say an "Our Father" before the game.
Scouts Inc.: Favorite practice drill?
Waters: It was one we did at my old school Madison [in Houston]. One player lies on his back with the ball and another lies on the ground 10 yards away, and on the whistle you get up and try and get past the defender.
Scouts Inc.: Favorite meal?
Waters: Steak and baked potato with sour cream and broccoli.
Scouts Inc.: Favorite actor?
Waters: Jamie Foxx.
Scouts Inc.: Favorite Foxx movie?
Waters: "Booty Call."
Scouts Inc.: Best gift you received this holiday?
Waters: A Lil' Wayne CD -- "Tha Carter, Vol. 2."
Craig Haubert is a recruiting coordinator for Scouts Inc.
