Travis Watkins was hampered by an injured foot during his sophomore season, and Kansas University’s football co-captain missed 11 games because of another foot injury last year.

Now, with a healthy body and a new marriage, the fifth-year senior thinks 2004 finally might be his year.

“I feel really good about this year, but I felt good about last year, too,” said Watkins, who was in the best shape of his football career before suffering a broken foot during a preseason scrimmage last August.

He missed the first 10 games of the 2003 season.

“I think he handled it pretty well,” said Watkins’ wife, Brandi. “He still worked out, did his rehab and tried to get better so he can be ready for any game.”

The waiting game

Last fall, Watkins missed KU’s first four-game winning streak since 1995, which included a 35-14 victory over 23rd-ranked Missouri.

“It was real hard,” he said. “It’s hard for anybody that’s been in that situation. I enjoyed the success we had, but I felt every win and loss.”

While missing out on the victories was hard, watching the losses was excruciating. Watkins was on the sideline — on crutches — when KU suffered a 28-10 loss to Northwestern in a rain-soaked season opener. A 50-47 overtime loss at Colorado was equally painful.

Kansas University senior defensive lineman Travis Watkins poses with his wife, the former Brandi Taylor, who used to compete for the KU track and field team. Travis Watkins missed nearly all of last football season because of a foot injury, but he has high hopes for the upcoming season.

“I believe if I could have played last year, things probably would have been a little different,” said Watkins, who started 22 of 23 games as a freshman and sophomore. “Every starter who ever gets injured probably feels that way.

“You never know what could have happened, but I felt like I could have made a difference. This year, I want to go out there and make a difference and help our defense.”

Watkins finally got his chance Nov. 15 at Oklahoma State, but he wasn’t fully recovered and made little impact in a 44-21 defeat at Stillwater, Okla.

Watkins did what he could to help his teammates, encouraging them during games and practices and helping his fellow linemen study film.

“I had a chance to look at the game from a coach’s perspective,” he said. “I’m not interested in coaching this year. I want to play.”

Help wanted

KU’s coaches don’t want Watkins on the sideline, either. Kansas lost three senior starters from the defensive line, and four backup linemen left the program without completing their eligibility.

“He’s a critical piece of the puzzle,” defensive coordinator Bill Young said of Watkins.

Kansas' Travis Watkins (67) brings down Nebraska quarterback Eric Crouch in this 2001 file photo. Watkins started 22 of 23 games as a freshman and sophomore, but missed almost all of his junior year because of a foot injury.

Kansas allowed averages of 30.5 points and 412.6 yards per game last year, but KU returns all three of its starting linebackers. The secondary, meanwhile, could be bolstered by the addition of junior-college cornerback Theo Baines.

Defensive line — where senior defensive end David McMillan is the only regular starter returning from last season — looms as a huge question mark.

“It really starts with the defensive line, and I feel like I can be a dominant defensive lineman,” Watkins said. “The important thing is for me and David to have banner years. I think if the defensive line comes around, our defense will show a lot of strides.”

Watkins (6-foot-4, 292 pounds) wanted to show he was ready to play in the spring, but he was ill during the spring game.

“It didn’t look good,” he said. “I could hardly breathe. It might have looked like I was out of shape, but I wasn’t. I’m 100 percent now.”

That’s what KU coaches and fans want to hear from Watkins, who plans to add another five pounds of muscle before preseason camp begins.

“He’s doing a heck of a job,” said KU director of strength and conditioning Chris Dawson. “He likes the weight room, and he likes workouts. Hopefully, this year will go his way, and he won’t have some ridiculous accident. He’s done everything he can to get ready, and he’s helping the young kids and leading them.

“I’m not sure he knows what he’s capable of. He brings a lot to the table. We just need to make sure he stays healthy. I’d like to think he’s burned off his bad luck.”

The road ahead

Watkins married the former Brandi Taylor on May 29 in Fort Worth, Texas.

Being a football player — with early morning workouts, classes, practices, meetings, film study and tutoring sessions — wouldn’t be easy for most newlyweds. But Brandi, a former KU triple-jumper who graduated in December with a degree in exercise science, understands the hectic lifestyle.

“I’ve been through it,” said Brandi, a Title I reading paraeducator at Pinckney Elementary. “I’ve gotten up at 5 a.m. for workouts.”

She also can relate to her husband’s injury woes. A back problem ended her senior season.

Kansas University defensive lineman Travis Watkins, left, closes in on former KU quarterback Mario Kinsey in this 2001 file photo. Watkins was a force in the two years he was a regular starter and hopes to conclude his career in a similar fashion.

“She’s definitely an athlete,” Travis said. “She works out harder than most guys. She’s gifted. Hopefully, our kids will have something besides good looks.”

Watkins and his wife met in August of 2000 — his freshman year and her sophomore year — and they’ve been together since.

After Watkins graduates in May with degrees in U.S. history and African-American studies, the couple plan to move to her native Texas and pursue teaching jobs.

Of course, if Watkins stays healthy and attracts pro scouts, those plans could change.

“If the league knocks on my door, I’ll answer the door, but I’m not here being just an athlete,” he said. “I’m making sure I have my plan straight. I want to have a good year and graduate in May with honors. We’ll see what happens from there.”