PHILADELPHIA – Welcome To The NFL, Justin Watson!
 
A five-time All-American and holder of seven Penn single-season or career records, Watson was selected by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the 5th Round with the 144th overall pick.
 
"I am honored to have been selected by Tampa Bay," said Watson – Penn's all-time leader in receptions, receiving yards, receiving touchdowns, and all-purpose yards. "This is a dream come true, and I am proud to represent Penn Football and the University of Pennsylvania in the NFL."
 
Watson is the 46th Quaker all-time to be selected in the NFL Draft, and first since Jeff Hatch was selected by the New York Giants in 2002 (Third Round, 78th overall).
 
Watson's selection gives Penn Football five alumni currently on NFL rosters heading into the 2018 season. He joins former teammates Alek Torgersen '17 (Arizona Cardinals) and Ryan O'Malley '16 (New York Giants) as well as Brandon Copeland '13 (New York Jets) and Greg Van Roten '13 (Carolina Panthers) in the National Football League.
 
"This is a great day for Justin, his family and our entire Penn Football Family," said George A. Munger Head Coach of Football Ray Priore. "He is one of the most talented players to ever wear a Penn uniform and has absolutely earned this moment. From the day he stepped foot into Franklin Field, he has changed the culture and course of Penn Football and I am thrilled for him. The Buccaneers franchise has added a top-notch player and person to its group and Tampa Bay fans are going to enjoy watching him make plays just as Penn fans have for the past four seasons."
 
A STATS FCS first-team All-American and AP third-team All-American this season, Watson will graduate as a five-time All-American over the course of his career and the holder of four career Penn Football records and three single-season Penn team records. A three-time unanimous first-team All-Ivy selection, Watson set the Ivy League records for consecutive games with a reception (40), consecutive games with a touchdown catch (10) and career 1,000-yard seasons (3) while representing the Red and Blue.
 
About Justin Watson's 2017 Season

• Led Penn In Receptions (81), Receiving Yards (1,083) and Receiving TDs (14)
• Scored a Touchdown 1 Out Of Every 6.5 Times He Touched The Ball
• Accounted for 47.6% of Penn's Receptions – Most of Any Player in FBS or FCS Football
• Accounted for 50.5% of Penn's Receiving Yards – Most of Any Player in FCS Football and No. 2 in All of FBS/FCS
• Accounted for All Nine of Penn's Receiving TDs in Ivy League Games
• First Three-Time Bushnell Cup Finalist in Ivy League History (2015, 2016, 2017)
• Two-Time Finalist For Water Payton Award as FCS Offensive Player of the Year (2016, 2017)
• No. 2 in FCS In Receiving Touchdowns (14)
• Became First Player in Ivy League History With Three Career 1,000-Yard Seasons
• Set Penn Single-Season Receiving TD Record (14)
• Set Ivy League Consecutive Games With a Receiving TD Record (10)
• Set Ivy League Consecutive Games With a Catch Record (40)
• Set Ivy League Career Record for Receiving Yards in Ivy League Games (2,675)
• Set Ivy League Career 100-Yard Games Record (19)
• Set Penn's Career Receiving TD Record (33)
• Set Penn's Career Receptions Record (286)
• Set Penn's Career Receiving Yards Record (3,777)
• Set Penn's Career All-Purpose Yards Record (4,116)