Patricia Watkins, mother of CJ Spiller

The Clemson Dubcast

In 2006, Patricia Watkins thought her son was going to play college football for the Florida Gators.

She had never even heard of Clemson when CJ Spiller traveled for a visit there that changed his life, and their lives.

Last week, Watkins was a part of Spiller's entourage on the field at Death Valley when he was inducted into Clemson's Ring of Honor.

It brought tears to her eyes because the first thing she thought of was when CJ tried to join a youth football team as a 6-year-old and was told he was too young (he spent that season as the water boy instead).

CJ bawled his eyes out that day when told he couldn't play. He was crying again last Saturday, but they were tears of joy and gratitude.

Watkins joins The Dubcast to reflect on the journey since Spiller's recruitment when she first heard the name Dabo Swinney.

Swinney, then the receivers coach, was the key figure in convincing Spiller that Clemson was the place for him.

And then a year later, Swinney was again the catalyst in convincing Spiller to remain at Clemson after he'd made up his mind he was going back home and transferring to Florida to join Urban Meyer, Tim Tebow and Percy Harvin.

The mother of the most important recruit in Clemson football history opens up about her story, and their story.