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Watson's slight build had Sunkett wondering if he could take the physicality of being a running back.

But Sunkett wanted Watson's playmaking ability on the fieldÌý— somewhere.

"We switched his position and he's put in the time day in and day out to hone those receiving skills," Sunkett said. "He can take the top off the defense, catch it underneath."

That switch has been a blessing as Watson has turned into one of the most explosive receivers in the area.

Watson is the No. 17 recruit on the Post-Dispatch Super 30 countdown of the area’s top senior football prospects and already hasÌýmade a verbal commitment to continue his career at Purdue University.

"ÁñÁ«ÊÓƵ were recruiting me hard," Watson said. "(Purdue associate head coach Cory Patterson) and I were building a relationship. ÁñÁ«ÊÓƵ weren't like any other school. ÁñÁ«ÊÓƵ wanted me the most."

Watson also received offers from Central Michigan, Eastern Michigan, Iowa State, Kansas, Kansas State, Nebraska, Toledo, UNLV, Western Michigan.

The 5-foot-9, 160-pound Watson adjusted from being a running back to a wide receiver in very little time. After making two receptions as a freshman, he was third on the team in receiving as a sophomore behind Luther Burden and Kuron Parchmon.

Last season as a junior, he put everyone on notice in the second week of the season with a running play.

"We gave him the jet sweep and he went for 60 yards," East St. Louis receivers coach Terry Fenton said. "He's electric. He does things you can't coach."

Fenton has had a hand in coaching multiple NCAA Division I receivers, including Burden, Mookie Cooper, Dominic Lovett and Marcus Washington.

He said he recognizes similarities with his latest pupil.

"You get him the ball in his hands, great things are going to happen," Fenton said. "The biggest thing is working on the details. Jesse has done that. It should be a great year for him."

Watson led the Flyers as a junior with 516 yards on 35 receptions with nine touchdowns. One of his highlight games was against De Smet, when three of his four receptions went for touchdowns.

Though he had an electric junior season, it all came to fruition after giving up some of his joys outside of football.

He put down the controller and reserves games of "Call of Duty: War Zone" only when he has some downtime.

"Going into my junior year, I noticed just how important this is and how far it could take meÌý—Ìýit clicked in my head," Watson said. "Taking the game as a lifestyle. Putting football over everything."

Though Watson has some personal goals on the field, he said he's willing to do whatever the Flyers need to defend their Class 6A state championship.

"I'd play defense if they asked me to," Watson said.

Though Watson is thriving as a pass catcher, Sunkett and his offense have running packages exclusively made for their lightning bug.

"That's the jets," Sunkett said. "Jet sweeps, he's our go-to man."