Two Hopkinsville High School football players signed letters-of-intent to continue their playing careers in college during a ceremony Wednesday afternoon in Tiger Gym.
DeAndre Watkins and Aiden Jesse signed with Thomas More University in Crestview Hills and Olivet Nazarene University in Illinois, respectively.
Watkins, a 6-foot-1, 170-pound free safety for the Tigers, recorded 47 tackles, including 31 solo during the 2025 season. He forced one fumble and had one interception.
Offensively, Watkins rushed two times for 15 yards and a score. He also caught four passes for 54 yards.
Watkins, who transferred from Christian County to the Tigers, said he liked everything he saw about Thomas More.
Hopkinsville Head Football Coach Dustin Lopez, who recently was hired as the new Christian County High School Head Football Coach, said Watkins was a key component to the Tigers’ 7-5 turnaround season in 2025 and he felt Watkins had a chance to play early with the Saints.Â
Meanwhile, Jesse is a 6-3, 180-pound wide receiver who caught 39 passes for 853 yards and 11 touchdowns last season. On defense, Jesse intercepted three passes and returned one for a touchdowns from his cornerback position.
Jesse also transferred from Christian County to Hopkinsville for his senior season. He said he was excited to get the chance to play college football.
Jesse’s brother, Reese, was a standout wide receiver for the Tigers who signed with Louisville after high school. He transferred to Murray State but injuries ended his career with the Racers.
Lopez said Aiden Jesse has a chance to have a good college career and thinks his best football days are ahead of him.
Watkins said he was planning on studying mathematics and elementary education and Jesse said he would be majoring in electrical engineering.
Watkins and Jesse are the fourth Hoptown football players to sign college letters following the 2025 season. Earlier this spring, James Bradley Jr., signed with Georgetown College and Kavon Johnson signed with Lindsey Wilson College.
Photos by Joe Wilson