AUBURN, Ala. – Growing up less than five miles from campus, Ryan Watson always pictured himself on the mound at Plainsman Park playing for the hometown Tigers.
"It was always kind of the dream to play here. I've always wanted to play at Auburn," Watson said. "As soon as they offered, I committed 30 minutes after.
"Coach Thompson and the staff have really helped me grow up," Watson added. "When I came in, I was kind of a hard-headed 18 year old, and they helped me mature into a well-rounded young man."
That maturation as a player was evident this season as Watson allowed just one run in five appearances and 7.1 innings pitched while holding opposing hitters to a .160 average before the season's unforeseen ending.
"He's grown up his whole life in Auburn and has just continued to grow," head coach Butch Thompson said. "He was drafted out of high school and decided to come to Auburn. He refers to himself as an Auburn man. This is all he's wanted to do, is to play here. He's continued to grow and get better, and better, and better as a pitcher. For him to grow up here and want to be at Auburn is important."
Along with the tutelage of Thompson, Watson credits Tim Hudson, who was in his first season as the Tigers pitching coach, for helping him take that next step in his career.
"The knowledge that he brings is second to none," Watson said. "You're not going to get first-hand, Hall of Fame knowledge from anybody else in the country on a day-to-day basis like that. His knowledge for pitching and the game itself adds a tremendous amount of value to Auburn baseball."
Regardless of what's next for Watson, he'll be forever grateful to the Auburn Family for embracing the hometown kid.
"Auburn means everything to me," Watson said. "I've never lived anywhere else, so being able to play in my hometown is something that I always dreamed of and something I'll cherish forever. It's my whole life, really. It's everything.
"Thank you for your support. Thank you for trusting in us and believing in us," Watson added of his message to the Auburn Family. "I've been through the seasons in the past when we didn't get into postseason for several straight years before Coach Thompson's time. It was hard to watch, but they kept believing in Auburn. When Coach Thompson got here, they kept believing in him, and it's paying off now."
The hometown kid will certainly miss putting on the Auburn uniform when his time on The Plains is done, but he hopes he's left the legacy of being someone who would do anything for the team.
"When I think of somebody like Ryan Watson, I think of the love he has for this program," Thompson added. "They're so invested. I think it's good for all the guys that are out of state, that don't live close to here. They see what Auburn means to somebody like Ryan Watson. That rubs off on them as they begin their process to learn about and to eventually love Auburn. Ryan is a great example, a beacon for those guys, if you will, to show them what it's like to really love this place."