If you were a fan of college football in the late 1980s, you remember the high-step. It wasn't just a move; it was a vibe. Ricky Watters at Notre Dame was the physical embodiment of that era’s swagger, a guy who could beat you in three different positions and look incredible doing it.
Honestly, people forget how weird his career path was. He didn't just show up, take handoffs, and leave. He was the ultimate chess piece for Lou Holtz. One year he’s a backup runner, the next he’s the primary wide receiver for a national champion, and by the end, he’s part of a backfield so deep it felt unfair.
The 1988 Switch That Changed Everything
When Tim Brown graduated after winning the Heisman in 1987, everyone wondered how the Irish would replace that production. Lou Holtz, in a move that would define his coaching brilliance, looked at his sophomore running back and said, "You're a flanker now."
That’s essentially what happened. Watters moved to Brown’s old spot.
It worked.
During that 1988 title run, Watters wasn't just "good for a running back." He led the team in receptions. He caught 15 passes for 286 yards—numbers that seem tiny today but were massive in a triple-option-heavy offense. He was the vertical threat that kept defenses from just swarming Tony Rice.
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Remember the Michigan game in ’88? That 81-yard punt return touchdown basically set the tone for the entire undefeated season. He had this way of gliding through traffic that made defenders look like they were running in sand.
The Discipline and the Drama
You can't talk about Ricky Watters at Notre Dame without talking about the USC game in 1988. This is the stuff of South Bend legend.
Before the biggest game of the year against #2 USC, Holtz suspended Watters and Tony Brooks. Why? They were late for dinner. Not a crime, not a scandal—just late for a meal. Holtz sent them home on a plane while the team went to the Coliseum.
- The Risk: Playing the #2 team without your best receiver and rusher.
- The Result: Notre Dame won 27-10.
- The Lesson: Nobody, not even a star like Ricky, was bigger than the "Lou Way."
It sort of defined Ricky’s reputation for the rest of his life. He was incredibly talented but always seemed to have a bit of friction with the structure around him. People still bring up the "For who? For what?" quote from his Eagles days, but the seeds of that complex relationship with authority were planted right there in the 1988 season.
1989 and the Return to the Backfield
By 1989, Watters moved back to tailback because Tony Brooks was out with academic issues. This is where we saw the "Ricky Running" style really take over. He finished second on the team in rushing yards behind Tony Rice, helping the Irish stay at #1 for 13 straight weeks.
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The 1990 backfield was even more insane. Think about this: The 1990 Notre Dame roster had Ricky Watters, Jerome Bettis, Rodney Culver, and Tony Brooks. Even Dorsey Levens was on that team.
That is an NFL-level room.
Watters finished his college career with 1,814 rushing yards and 21 touchdowns, plus another 578 yards receiving. If he had stayed at one position for four years, his stats would be astronomical. Instead, he became the blueprint for the modern "all-purpose" back.
Why NFL Scouts Were Worried (And Wrong)
Going into the 1991 NFL Draft, there was a lot of chatter about his "true" position. Was he too fast for a back? Too bulky for a receiver? He ran a 4.71 at the combine, which honestly wasn't blazing for a guy with his reputation.
But the San Francisco 49ers saw what Holtz saw. They took him in the second round (45th overall). They realized that a guy who can play flanker for a national champion and then go back to rushing for 700 yards the next year is a mismatch nightmare.
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The Lasting Legacy in South Bend
So, what’s the takeaway here?
Ricky Watters wasn't just a stat-sheet stuffer. He was a winner. He’s one of the few guys with a National Championship ring and a Super Bowl ring (XXIX with the 49ers).
If you want to understand why Notre Dame was so dominant under Holtz, look at the 1988 Fiesta Bowl. Watters caught a 54-yarder against West Virginia that basically iced the game. He was the "X-factor" before that term became a cliché.
He didn't just play for Notre Dame; he helped define an era where the Irish were the baddest team on the block. His career proves that versatility is often more valuable than raw specialization.
Next Steps for Fans:
- Watch the highlights: Go find the 1988 Michigan punt return on YouTube; the high-step is still iconic.
- Read the book: Ricky wrote For Who For What: A Warrior's Journey which dives deep into his time under Holtz and the USC suspension.
- Check the Hall of Fame debate: Watters has been a semi-finalist for the Pro Football Hall of Fame multiple times; looking at his Notre Dame versatility helps explain why his NFL production was so unique.