Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Athletics

2018: Started all 12 games ... Registered 69 tackles with 24 unassisted ... Six pass breakups ... Three interceptions ... One forced fumble and one recovery ... Multiple tackles in every game with at least five in nine ... Season-high nine tackles (4 solo) with forced fumble and two pass breakups in NCAA Playoffs at Brockport ... Team's Defensive Player of the Week twice (WPI & Husson) ... Liberty League Defensive Performer of the Week once ... All-Liberty League First Team ... All-ECAC First Team ... Liberty League All-Academic ... Capital District Chapter of National Football Foundation and Football Hall of Fame Scholar-Athlete ... Team's co-Defensive Player of the Year (Sadak) ... Scholar-Athlete Award ... 

2017: Played 10 games ... Had 26 tackles with 16 unassisted ... One tackle for loss (2 yards) ... Three pass breakups ... Forced one fumble ... Multiple tackles in seven games, including season-highs of five at Alfred (4 solo) and Wesley (2) ... Also had one pass breakup against Saxons ... Liberty League All-Academic ... ECAC President's Honor Roll ...

2016: Played 10 games ... Had 27 tackles with 16 unassisted ... One tackle for loss (1 yard) ... One interception ... Two pass breakups ... Multiple tackles in seven games, including six (2 solos) with pass breakup at Alfred ... Liberty League All-Academic ... 

2015: Played two games ... One pass breakup ... 

High School: Three years of football (WR, DB) ... Started for one year ... All-King County Second Team safety in 2014 ... Two years of baseball (OF) ... Starter for one ... All-King County First Team in 2015 ... National Football Foundation Scholar Athlete ... Washington State Principals' Scholar ... 

Personal: Computer and Systems Engineering major ... Dean's Honor List ... Founders Award of Excellence ... Olympia (Rensselaer Athletics Honor Society) ... National Football Foundation Hampshire Honor Society ... Intern at Optum (developed healthcare IT/Software projects) ... Son of Anne and Derek Watanabe ... Father played football at Pomona College ... Mother played volleyball at Pomona ... Sister rowed at Gonzaga ... Grandfather played football at University of Hawaii.

On attending Rensselaer: "Great academics and an athletic department that supports student-athletes." - August 2017

Benefits of undergraduate community: "Being able to make so many great friendships and interact with so many different people." - August 2017