The Birmingham Stallions released tight end Austin Watkins Jr. on Tuesday according to the UFL Transactions page.
Austin Watkins Jr. is six foot three and weighs 210 pounds. The 27-year-old from Fort Myers, Florida, re-signed with the Birmingham Stallions on October 30, 2024. In 2025, made two catches for 13 yards in four games.
The San Francisco 49ers signed Watkins Jr. as an undrafted free agent on May 14, 2021. He spent the season on the practice squad. Next, he signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on January 31, 2022, but was released on May 16, 2022.
Then, Watkins Jr. signed with the Saskatchewan Roughriders on August 7, 2022. The Roughriders released him on August 18, 2022. The Tampa Bay Bandits (USFL) signed Watkins Jr. on October 22, 2022. The Bandits became the Memphis Showboats and they traded him to the Birmingham Stallions on January 11, 2023.
In 2023, Watkins Jr. made 16 catches for 197 yards and one touchdown in seven games. In the 2023 USFL playoffs, Watkins Jr. appeared in two games as the Stallions won their second USFL championship over the Pittsburgh Maulers.
The Stallions released Watkins Jr. on July 22, 2023. In 2023, Watkins Jr. made 16 catches for 257 yards and two touchdowns in four preseason games. He spent the season on the practice squad. The Browns released him on November 13, 2023, and he signed with the Philadelphia Eagles on January 18, 2024. In 2024, Watkins Jr. made four catches for 33 yards in three preseason games. The Eagles released him on August 27, 2024.
Collegiately, Watkins Jr. played two seasons at Dodge City Community College (2016-17) making 62 catches for 706 yards, five touchdowns, six carries for 22 yards, and one tackle (1 solo) in 19 games for the Conquistadors.
Next, he transferred to the University of Alabama-Birmingham (2018-20) making 98 catches for 1,642 yards, nine touchdowns, one carry for -1 yard, and two tackles (2 solo) in 25 games for the Blazers.
