Nathaniel Watson Explained

Nathaniel Watson
Current Team:Cleveland Browns
Number:40
Position:Linebacker
Birth Date:1 September 2000
Birth Place:Maplesville, Alabama, U.S.
Height Ft:6
Height In:2
Weight Lb:233
High School:Maplesville
(Maplesville, Alabama)
College:Mississippi State (2018–2023)
Draftyear:2024
Draftround:6
Draftpick:206
Pastteams:
Status:Active
Highlights:
  • SEC Defensive Player of the Year (2023)
  • First-team All-SEC (2023)
  • Second-team All-SEC (2022)
Pfr:W/WatsNa00

Nathaniel “Bookie” Watson[1] (born September 1, 2000) is an American professional football linebacker for the Cleveland Browns in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Mississippi State Bulldogs.

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.[2] Watson committed to play college football at Mississippi State over schools such as Auburn and Ole Miss.[3] [4]

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.[5] [6] In the 2020 season, he tallied 39 tackles with three being for a loss, and a pass deflection.[7] 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

  1. 5 Alabama
49–9.[8] [9] He finished the 2021 season with 83 tackles with six going for a loss, five sacks, and a pass deflection.[10] 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.[11] 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.[12] [13] 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.[14] For his performance, Watson was named second team all-SEC.[15] Watson was named preseason second-team all-SEC ahead of the 2023 season.[16] Watson was also named a preseason fourth team all-American by Athlon Sports.[17] Watson was also named to multiple award watch lists, such as for the Lombardi Award and the Bednarik Award.[18] [19]

Professional career

Watson was drafted by the Cleveland Browns 206th overall in the 2024 NFL draft.[20]

Personal life

On August 15, 2023, Watson was arrested by the Mississippi State University Police Department on suspicion of driving under the influence.[21] [22]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Nathaniel Watson - Football . 2024-04-29 . Mississippi State . en.
  2. Web site: Sammon . Will . Mississippi State adds 3-star Alabama athlete Nathaniel Watson . The Clarion-Ledger . 17 August 2017 . 17 August 2023.
  3. Web site: Champlin . Drew . August 17, 2017 . Watch the moment Nathaniel Watson commits to his SEC coach . 17 August 2023 . AL.com.
  4. Web site: August 17, 2017 . Alabama athlete commits to MSU . 17 August 2023 . Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal.
  5. Web site: Nathaniel Watson 2018 Game Logs . Sports Reference . 17 August 2023.
  6. Web site: Nathaniel Watson 2019 Game Logs . Sports Reference . 17 August 2023.
  7. Web site: Nathaniel Watson 2020 Game Logs . Sports Reference . 17 August 2023.
  8. Web site: Hall . Erik . No. 5 Alabama vs. Mississippi State college football video highlights, final score . The Clarion-Ledger . 16 October 2021 . 17 August 2023.
  9. Web site: Alabama 49-9 Mississippi State . ESPN . 17 August 2023.
  10. Web site: Nathaniel Watson 2021 Game Logs . Sports Reference . 17 August 2023.
  11. Web site: DeRosa . Theo . Tuesday Replay: Mississippi State intercepts Arizona’s Jayden de Laura three times in victory . The Dispatch . 13 September 2022 . 17 August 2023.
  12. Web site: Mississippi St. forces 4 turnovers to roll No. 17 Texas A&M . KBTX . 2 October 2022 . 17 August 2023.
  13. Web site: Brezina . Austin . October 1, 2022 . Nathaniel Watson ejected after controversial targeting call against Max Johnson . 17 August 2023 . On3.com.
  14. Web site: Nathaniel Watson 2022 Game Logs . Sports Reference . 17 August 2023.
  15. Web site: Faulk . Robbie . December 5, 2022 . Trio of Bulldogs grab All-SEC honors by the Associated Press . 17 August 2023 . 247Sports.
  16. Web site: July 19, 2023 . Judkins, pair of bulldogs named to SIS Preseason All-SEC Team . 17 August 2023 . Yahoo! Sports. Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal.
  17. Web site: Lassan . Steven . June 5, 2023 . 2023 College Football Preseason All-America Team . 17 August 2023 . Athlon Sports.
  18. Web site: Froyd . Crissy . August 15, 2023 . Mississippi State LB Nathaniel Watson Named To Lombardi Award Watch List . 17 August 2023 . Sports Illustrated.
  19. Web site: Murphy . Alex . Nathaniel Watson named to Bednarik Award watch list . The Dispatch . 15 August 2023 . 17 August 2023.
  20. Web site: Ulrich . Nate . April 27, 2024 . Nathaniel Watson to Browns in NFL draft: Instant grade, analysis, stats for 206th pick . 2024-06-24 . Akron Beacon Journal . en-US.
  21. Web site: Krajisnik . Stefan . Mississippi State football LB Nathaniel Watson arrested on suspicion of DUI . The Clairon-Ledger . 15 May 2023 . 17 August 2023.
  22. Web site: Backus . Will . May 15, 2023 . Mississippi State LB Nathaniel Watson, SEC's second-leading tackler, arrested on suspicion of DUI charge . 17 August 2023 . CBS Sports.

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