Nathaniel Watson

Nathaniel Watson (born September 1, 2000) is an American football linebacker for the Mississippi State Bulldogs.

Nathaniel Watson
Mississippi State Bulldogs – No. 14
PositionLinebacker
ClassGraduate student
Personal information
Born: (2000-09-01) September 1, 2000
Height6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Weight245 lb (111 kg)
Career history
College
High schoolMaplesville (AL)
Career highlights and awards

Early life

Watson grew up in Maplesville, Alabama and attended Maplesville High School. In his high school career he played at receiver and linebacker. At receiver he caught 45 passes for 1,070 yards and 12 touchdowns, while also adding 376 yards and five touchdowns. At linebacker he racked up 70 tackles and four interceptions, returning two of them for touchdowns.[1] Watson committed to play college football at Mississippi State over schools such as Auburn and Ole Miss.[2][3]

College career

Watson played sparingly in his first two seasons at Mississippi State in 2018 and 2019, recording a combined five tackles, with one going for loss.[4][5] In the 2020 season, he tallied 39 tackles with three being for a loss, and a pass deflection.[6] In week seven of the 2021 season, Watson had a breakout game posting 16 tackles with one going for a loss, and a sack, though the Bulldogs lost to #5 Alabama 49–9.[7][8] He finished the 2021 season with 83 tackles with six going for a loss, five sacks, and a pass deflection.[9] Watson recorded his first interception in week two of the 2022 season, picking off Jayden de Laura and returning it 51 yards, as he helped Mississippi State beat Arizona.[10] In week five, Watson had a forced fumble in the redzone in the second quarter, but was later ejected in the second half on a controversial targeting call on quarterback Max Johnson, though the Bulldogs beat Texas A&M 42–24.[11][12] Watson finished his breakout 2022 season with 133 tackles with 12 being for a loss, six sacks, a pass deflection, an interception, and a forced fumble.[13] For his performance, Watson was named second team all-SEC.[14] Watson was named preseason second-team all-SEC ahead of the 2023 season.[15] Watson was also named a preseason fourth team all-American by Athlon Sports.[16] Watson was also named to multiple award watch lists, such as for the Lombardi Award and the Bednarik Award.[17][18]

Personal life

On August 15, 2023, Watson was arrested by the Mississippi State University Police Department on suspicion of driving under the influence.[19][20]

References
  1. Sammon, Will. "Mississippi State adds 3-star Alabama athlete Nathaniel Watson". The Clarion-Ledger. Retrieved 17 August 2023.
  2. Champlin, Drew. "Watch the moment Nathaniel Watson commits to his SEC coach". AL.com. Retrieved 17 August 2023.
  3. "Alabama athlete commits to MSU". Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal. Retrieved 17 August 2023.
  4. "Nathaniel Watson 2018 Game Logs". Sports Reference. Retrieved 17 August 2023.
  5. "Nathaniel Watson 2019 Game Logs". Sports Reference. Retrieved 17 August 2023.
  6. "Nathaniel Watson 2020 Game Logs". Sports Reference. Retrieved 17 August 2023.
  7. Hall, Erik. "No. 5 Alabama vs. Mississippi State college football video highlights, final score". The Clarion-Ledger. Retrieved 17 August 2023.
  8. "Alabama 49-9 Mississippi State". ESPN. Retrieved 17 August 2023.
  9. "Nathaniel Watson 2021 Game Logs". Sports Reference. Retrieved 17 August 2023.
  10. DeRosa, Theo. "Tuesday Replay: Mississippi State intercepts Arizona's Jayden de Laura three times in victory". The Dispatch. Retrieved 17 August 2023.
  11. "Mississippi St. forces 4 turnovers to roll No. 17 Texas A&M". KBTX. Retrieved 17 August 2023.
  12. Brezina, Austin. "Nathaniel Watson ejected after controversial targeting call against Max Johnson". On3.com. Retrieved 17 August 2023.
  13. "Nathaniel Watson 2022 Game Logs". Sports Reference. Retrieved 17 August 2023.
  14. Faulk, Robbie. "Trio of Bulldogs grab All-SEC honors by the Associated Press". 247Sports. Retrieved 17 August 2023.
  15. "Judkins, pair of bulldogs named to SIS Preseason All-SEC Team". Yahoo Sports. Retrieved 17 August 2023.
  16. Lassan, Steven. "2023 College Football Preseason All-America Team". Athlon Sports. Retrieved 17 August 2023.
  17. Froyd, Crissy. "Mississippi State LB Nathaniel Watson Named To Lombardi Award Watch List". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved 17 August 2023.
  18. Murphy, Alex. "Nathaniel Watson named to Bednarik Award watch list". The Dispatch. Retrieved 17 August 2023.
  19. Krajisnik, Stefan. "Mississippi State football LB Nathaniel Watson arrested on suspicion of DUI". The Clairon-Ledger. Retrieved 17 August 2023.
  20. Backus, Will. "Mississippi State LB Nathaniel Watson, SEC's second-leading tackler, arrested on suspicion of DUI charge". CBS Sports. Retrieved 17 August 2023.
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