The University of Utah needed an athletic forward. Jay Watkins needed a place to continue his college career.

On Thursday, the perfect match become official after the College of Southern Idaho sophomore signed a National Letter of Intent to play for the Utes next season.

Watkins, who verbally committing to Utah in September during his official campus visit, said he never wavered in his decision to join the Utes.

"I feel really good about it," he said. "It felt good from the start."

Watkins said Utah's system is similar to the style played at CSI and will allow him to "basically do the same thing I do here: Playing on the wing, getting out and running, and posting up a little bit."

Through three games this season at CSI, Watkins is doing those things remarkably well. The 6-foot-7 transfer from the University of San Francisco is the Golden Eagles' leading scorer at 22 points a game and is adding seven boards a night in a team-leading 35.3 minutes.

"Jay will add athleticism and competitiveness to our team," said Utah head coach Jim Boylen. "He brings physical toughness and size to the wing position."

Those are attributes the Utes feel they're lacking, which makes the situation all the more ideal for Watkins.

"He's going into a situation where he fits an immediate need for them," said CSI head coach Steve Gosar.

In joining the Utes, Watkins will be reunited with former Golden Eagles head coach Barret Peery. Watkins sat out the last half of the 2007-08 season at CSI in Peery's final season in Twin Falls. In May, Peery joined Boylen's staff as an assistant coach. Watkins is part of a five-player recruiting class for the Utes that includes one other junior college transfer and three freshman.

Watkins said making his recruiting decision during November's early signing period will help him focus in on his lone season at CSI and avoid the stress and phone calls from coaches that come with being a highly sought-after prospect.

And Watkins knows the process, having signed with three teams in his college career. At USF he was named to the West Coast Conference All-Freshman Team before a coaching change led him to transfer to CSI last December.

As for Watkins' play through three games as a Golden Eagle, Gosar is impressed.

"He's off to a great start this year," said Gosar. "We knew he'd score a lot for us, but he's been very efficient offensively and taking good shots."

Watkins has also proved a solid defender, drawing the assignment to guard the opposition's top offensive threat.

"Jay is a proven (NCAA) Division I player," said Boylen.

Soon, Watkins will back be on college basketball's highest stage.

Mike Christensen may be reached at 208-735-3239 or sports@magicvalley.com.