The South Florida Bulls are mourning the death of one of their former players this morning.
Elkino Watson, 23, was stabbed in Ybor City early Sunday morning. Watson appeared in 45 games as a Bull. Desmond Horne, who also played with the Bulls, was also injured. Police continue to investigate.
“We are deeply saddened and stunned by the tragic loss of Elkino Watson and the injuries suffered by Desmond Horne,” USF Head Coach Willie Taggart said. “Kino was a tremendous young man with a great smile and a big heart who was very much loved by our USF football family and will be sorely missed. Our hearts hurt for his daughter and his family. The thoughts and prayers of our team and our University are with the Watson family as they deal with this terrible loss and with Desmond Horne to make a full recovery.”
Watson, a native of Miami, was a four-year letterman for the Bulls (2011-2014) who played in 45 career games and started 19. He was one of the Bulls leaders on the defensive line last season posting 36 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss and two sacks in his final campaign in 2014. Watson, who was in the Chicago Bears camp logged 74 tackles, 32.5 tackles for loss and six sacks for his career, finishing ninth all-time on the Bulls career tackles for loss chart.
“There is nothing more profoundly tragic and sad than when a member of our student-athlete family, current or past, passes away or is seriously injured,” USF Director of Athletics Mark Harlan said. “Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of Elkino Watson and with Desmond Horne and his family as he makes his recovery. We will work closely with Coach Taggart and his staff to provide our football team and all of our USF student-athletes with the support they need during this very difficult period.”
