Nathaniel Watson: Difference between revisions

Total tackles:	14
Pass deflections:	1
	Stats at Pro Football Reference

Nathaniel Watson
No. 40 – Cleveland Browns
Position:	Linebacker
Personal information
Born:	September 1, 2000 (age 24); Maplesville, Alabama, U.S.
Height:	6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Weight:	233 lb (106 kg)
Career information
High school:	Maplesville; (Maplesville, Alabama)
College:	Mississippi State (2018–2023)
NFL draft:	2024 / round: 6 / pick: 206
Career history
	Cleveland Browns (2024–present);
Roster status:	Active
Career highlights and awards
	SEC Defensive Player of the Year (2023); First-team All-SEC (2023); Second-team All-SEC (2022);
Career NFL statistics as of Week 18, 2024
Total tackles:
Total tackles:	14
Pass deflections:	1
	Stats at Pro Football Reference

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Nathaniel “Bookie” Watson^[1] (born September 1, 2000) is an American professional football linebacker for the Cleveland Browns of 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 #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

Pre-draft measurables
Height	Weight	Arm length	Hand span	40-yard dash	10-yard split	20-yard split	20-yard shuttle	Three-cone drill	Vertical jump	Broad jump	Bench press
6 ft 2+1⁄4 in (1.89 m)	233 lb (106 kg)	32+7⁄8 in (0.84 m)	9+7⁄8 in (0.25 m)	4.63 s	1.59 s	2.70 s	4.44 s	7.34 s	31.0 in (0.79 m)	9 ft 3 in (2.82 m)	16 reps
All values from NFL Combine/Pro Day^[20]^[21]

Watson was drafted by the Cleveland Browns in the sixth round with the 206th overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft.^[22] He was waived on September 19, 2024, and re-signed to the practice squad.^[23] He was promoted to the active roster on October 2.

Personal life

Watson's uncle Harold Morrow played in the NFL as a fullback from 1996 to 2005. His great uncle is Tommie Agee, who played in the NFL as a running back from 1988 to 1994, and won Super Bowls XXVII and XXVIII with the Dallas Cowboys.^[24]

On August 15, 2023, Watson was arrested by the Mississippi State University Police Department on suspicion of driving under the influence.^[25]^[26]

References

^ "Nathaniel Watson - Football". Mississippi State. Retrieved April 29, 2024.
^ Sammon, Will (August 17, 2017). "Mississippi State adds 3-star Alabama athlete Nathaniel Watson". The Clarion-Ledger. Retrieved August 17, 2023.
^ Champlin, Drew (August 17, 2017). "Watch the moment Nathaniel Watson commits to his SEC coach". AL.com. Retrieved August 17, 2023.
^ "Alabama athlete commits to MSU". Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal. August 17, 2017. Retrieved August 17, 2023.
^ "Nathaniel Watson 2018 Game Logs". Sports Reference. Retrieved August 17, 2023.
^ "Nathaniel Watson 2019 Game Logs". Sports Reference. Retrieved August 17, 2023.
^ "Nathaniel Watson 2020 Game Logs". Sports Reference. Retrieved August 17, 2023.
^ Hall, Erik (October 16, 2021). "No. 5 Alabama vs. Mississippi State college football video highlights, final score". The Clarion-Ledger. Retrieved August 17, 2023.
^ "Alabama 49-9 Mississippi State". ESPN. Retrieved August 17, 2023.
^ "Nathaniel Watson 2021 Game Logs". Sports Reference. Retrieved August 17, 2023.
^ DeRosa, Theo (September 13, 2022). "Tuesday Replay: Mississippi State intercepts Arizona's Jayden de Laura three times in victory". The Dispatch. Retrieved August 17, 2023.
^ "Mississippi St. forces 4 turnovers to roll No. 17 Texas A&M". KBTX. October 2, 2022. Retrieved August 17, 2023.
^ Brezina, Austin (October 1, 2022). "Nathaniel Watson ejected after controversial targeting call against Max Johnson". On3.com. Retrieved August 17, 2023.
^ "Nathaniel Watson 2022 Game Logs". Sports Reference. Retrieved August 17, 2023.
^ Faulk, Robbie (December 5, 2022). "Trio of Bulldogs grab All-SEC honors by the Associated Press". 247Sports. Retrieved August 17, 2023.
^ "Judkins, pair of bulldogs named to SIS Preseason All-SEC Team". Yahoo! Sports. July 19, 2023. Retrieved August 17, 2023 – via Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal.
^ Lassan, Steven (June 5, 2023). "2023 College Football Preseason All-America Team". Athlon Sports. Retrieved August 17, 2023.
^ Froyd, Crissy (August 15, 2023). "Mississippi State LB Nathaniel Watson Named To Lombardi Award Watch List". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved August 17, 2023.
^ Murphy, Alex (August 15, 2023). "Nathaniel Watson named to Bednarik Award watch list". The Dispatch. Retrieved August 17, 2023.
^ "Nathaniel Watson Draft and Combine Prospect Profile". NFL.com. Retrieved March 24, 2024.
^ "2024 NFL Draft Scout Nathaniel Watson College Football Profile". DraftScout.com. Retrieved March 24, 2024.
^ Ulrich, Nate (April 27, 2024). "Nathaniel Watson to Browns in NFL draft: Instant grade, analysis, stats for 206th pick". Akron Beacon Journal. Retrieved June 24, 2024.
^ "Browns waive LB Nathaniel Watson". ClevelandBrowns.com. September 19, 2024. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |url= (help)
^ "Rookie linebacker Nathaniel Watson ready if called on, has skills to be leader on defense". chroniclet.com. Retrieved September 20, 2024.
^ Krajisnik, Stefan (May 15, 2023). "Mississippi State football LB Nathaniel Watson arrested on suspicion of DUI". The Clairon-Ledger. Retrieved August 17, 2023.
^ Backus, Will (May 15, 2023). "Mississippi State LB Nathaniel Watson, SEC's second-leading tackler, arrested on suspicion of DUI charge". CBS Sports. Retrieved August 17, 2023.

External links

[1] "Nathaniel Watson - Football". Mississippi State. Retrieved April 29, 2024.

[2] Sammon, Will (August 17, 2017). "Mississippi State adds 3-star Alabama athlete Nathaniel Watson". The Clarion-Ledger. Retrieved August 17, 2023.

[3] Champlin, Drew (August 17, 2017). "Watch the moment Nathaniel Watson commits to his SEC coach". AL.com. Retrieved August 17, 2023.

[4] "Alabama athlete commits to MSU". Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal. August 17, 2017. Retrieved August 17, 2023.

[5] "Nathaniel Watson 2018 Game Logs". Sports Reference. Retrieved August 17, 2023.

[6] "Nathaniel Watson 2019 Game Logs". Sports Reference. Retrieved August 17, 2023.

[7] "Nathaniel Watson 2020 Game Logs". Sports Reference. Retrieved August 17, 2023.

[8] Hall, Erik (October 16, 2021). "No. 5 Alabama vs. Mississippi State college football video highlights, final score". The Clarion-Ledger. Retrieved August 17, 2023.

[9] "Alabama 49-9 Mississippi State". ESPN. Retrieved August 17, 2023.

[10] "Nathaniel Watson 2021 Game Logs". Sports Reference. Retrieved August 17, 2023.

[11] DeRosa, Theo (September 13, 2022). "Tuesday Replay: Mississippi State intercepts Arizona's Jayden de Laura three times in victory". The Dispatch. Retrieved August 17, 2023.

[12] "Mississippi St. forces 4 turnovers to roll No. 17 Texas A&M". KBTX. October 2, 2022. Retrieved August 17, 2023.

[13] Brezina, Austin (October 1, 2022). "Nathaniel Watson ejected after controversial targeting call against Max Johnson". On3.com. Retrieved August 17, 2023.

[14] "Nathaniel Watson 2022 Game Logs". Sports Reference. Retrieved August 17, 2023.

[15] Faulk, Robbie (December 5, 2022). "Trio of Bulldogs grab All-SEC honors by the Associated Press". 247Sports. Retrieved August 17, 2023.

[16] "Judkins, pair of bulldogs named to SIS Preseason All-SEC Team". Yahoo! Sports. July 19, 2023. Retrieved August 17, 2023 – via Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal.

[17] Lassan, Steven (June 5, 2023). "2023 College Football Preseason All-America Team". Athlon Sports. Retrieved August 17, 2023.

[18] Froyd, Crissy (August 15, 2023). "Mississippi State LB Nathaniel Watson Named To Lombardi Award Watch List". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved August 17, 2023.

[19] Murphy, Alex (August 15, 2023). "Nathaniel Watson named to Bednarik Award watch list". The Dispatch. Retrieved August 17, 2023.

[20] "Nathaniel Watson Draft and Combine Prospect Profile". NFL.com. Retrieved March 24, 2024.

[21] "2024 NFL Draft Scout Nathaniel Watson College Football Profile". DraftScout.com. Retrieved March 24, 2024.

[22] Ulrich, Nate (April 27, 2024). "Nathaniel Watson to Browns in NFL draft: Instant grade, analysis, stats for 206th pick". Akron Beacon Journal. Retrieved June 24, 2024.

[23] "Browns waive LB Nathaniel Watson". ClevelandBrowns.com. September 19, 2024. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |url= (help)

[24] "Rookie linebacker Nathaniel Watson ready if called on, has skills to be leader on defense". chroniclet.com. Retrieved September 20, 2024.

[25] Krajisnik, Stefan (May 15, 2023). "Mississippi State football LB Nathaniel Watson arrested on suspicion of DUI". The Clairon-Ledger. Retrieved August 17, 2023.

[26] Backus, Will (May 15, 2023). "Mississippi State LB Nathaniel Watson, SEC's second-leading tackler, arrested on suspicion of DUI charge". CBS Sports. Retrieved August 17, 2023.

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@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-{{Short description|American football linebacker}}
+{{Short description|American football linebacker (born 2000)}}
+{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2024}}
-{{Infobox college football player
+{{Infobox NFL biography
-|name=Nathaniel Watson
+| name          = Nathaniel Watson
-|school=Mississippi State Bulldogs
+| image         =
-|currentnumber=14
+| image_size    =
-|currentposition=[[Linebacker]]
+| alt           =
-|class=Graduate student
+| caption       =
-|major=
+| current_team  = Cleveland Browns
-|birth_date={{birth date and age|2000|9|1}}
+| number        = 40
-|birth_place=
+| position      = [[Linebacker]]
-|heightft=6
+| birth_date    = {{Birth date and age|2000|9|1}}
-|heightin=2
+| birth_place   = [[Maplesville, Alabama]], U.S.
-|weight_lb=245
+| death_date    =
-|highschool=[[Maplesville High School|Maplesville (AL)]]
+| death_place   =
-|pastschools=
+| height_ft     = 6
-*[[Mississippi State Bulldogs football|Mississippi State]] (2018–present)
+| height_in     = 0
-|espn=
+| weight_lb     = 233
-|highlights=
+| high_school   = [[Maplesville High School|Maplesville]]<br/>([[Maplesville, Alabama]])
-* Second-team All-[[Southeastern Conference|SEC]] ([[2022 All-SEC football team|2022]])
+| college       = [[Mississippi State Bulldogs football|Mississippi State]] (2018–2023)
+| undraftedyear =
+| draftyear     = 2024
+| draftround    = 6
+| draftpick     = 206
+| pastteams     =
+* [[Cleveland Browns]] ({{NFL Year|2024}}–present)
+| status        = Active
+| highlights    =
+* [[SEC Defensive Player of the Year]] (2023)
+* First-team [[List of All-SEC football teams|All-SEC]] ([[2023 All-SEC football team|2023]])
+* Second-team All-SEC ([[2022 All-SEC football team|2022]])
+| statseason    = 2024
+| statweek      = 18
+| statlabel1    = [[Tackle (football move)|Total tackles]]
+| statvalue1    = 14
+| statlabel2    = [[Quarterback sack|Sacks]]
+| statvalue2    =
+| statlabel3    = [[Fumble|Forced fumbles]]
+| statvalue3    =
+| statlabel4    = [[Fumble|Fumble recoveries]]
+| statvalue4    =
+| statlabel5    = [[Pass deflected|Pass deflections]]
+| statvalue5    = 1
+| statlabel6    = [[Interceptions]]
+| statvalue6    =
+| statlabel8    = [[Touchdown|Defensive touchdowns]]
+| statvalue8    =
+| pfr           =  W/WatsNa00
 }}
-'''Nathaniel Watson''' (born September 1, 2000) is an [[American football]] [[linebacker]] for the [[Mississippi State Bulldogs football|Mississippi State Bulldogs]].
+'''Nathaniel “Bookie” Watson'''<ref>{{Cite web |title=Nathaniel Watson - Football |url=https://hailstate.com/sports/football/roster/nathaniel-watson/10032 |access-date=2024-04-29 |website=Mississippi State |language=en}}</ref> (born September 1, 2000) is an American professional [[American football|football]] [[linebacker]] for the [[Cleveland Browns]] of the [[National Football League]] (NFL). He played [[college football]] for the [[Mississippi State Bulldogs football|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.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Sammon |first1=Will |title=Mississippi State adds 3-star Alabama athlete Nathaniel Watson |url=https://www.clarionledger.com/story/sports/college/mississippi-state/2017/08/17/mississippi-state-adds-3-star-alabama-athlete-nathaniel-watson/576076001/ |website=The Clarion-Ledger |access-date=17 August 2023}}</ref> Watson committed to play [[college football]] at [[Mississippi State Bulldogs football|Mississippi State]] over schools such as [[Auburn Tigers football|Auburn]] and [[Ole Miss Rebels football|Ole Miss]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Champlin |first1=Drew |title=Watch the moment Nathaniel Watson commits to his SEC coach |url=https://www.al.com/sports/2017/08/watch_the_moment_maplesvilles.html |website=AL.com |access-date=17 August 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Alabama athlete commits to MSU |url=https://www.djournal.com/sports/alabama-athlete-commits-to-msu/article_7a4ec1da-5248-541b-b4fa-ac9cc0dc73de.html |website=Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal |access-date=17 August 2023}}</ref>
+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.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Sammon |first1=Will |title=Mississippi State adds 3-star Alabama athlete Nathaniel Watson |url=https://www.clarionledger.com/story/sports/college/mississippi-state/2017/08/17/mississippi-state-adds-3-star-alabama-athlete-nathaniel-watson/576076001/ |website=The Clarion-Ledger |date=17 August 2017 |access-date=17 August 2023}}</ref> Watson committed to play [[college football]] at [[Mississippi State Bulldogs football|Mississippi State]] over schools such as [[Auburn Tigers football|Auburn]] and [[Ole Miss Rebels football|Ole Miss]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Champlin |first=Drew |date=August 17, 2017 |title=Watch the moment Nathaniel Watson commits to his SEC coach |url=https://www.al.com/sports/2017/08/watch_the_moment_maplesvilles.html |access-date=17 August 2023 |website=AL.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=August 17, 2017 |title=Alabama athlete commits to MSU |url=https://www.djournal.com/sports/alabama-athlete-commits-to-msu/article_7a4ec1da-5248-541b-b4fa-ac9cc0dc73de.html |access-date=17 August 2023 |website=Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal}}</ref>
 ==College career==
-Watson played sparingly in his first two seasons at Mississippi State in [[2018 Mississippi State Bulldogs football team|2018]] and [[2019 Mississippi State Bulldogs football team|2019]], recording a combined five tackles, with one going for loss.<ref>{{cite web |title=Nathaniel Watson 2018 Game Logs |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/nathaniel-watson-1/gamelog/2018/ |website=Sports Reference |access-date=17 August 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Nathaniel Watson 2019 Game Logs |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/nathaniel-watson-1/gamelog/2019/ |website=Sports Reference |access-date=17 August 2023}}</ref> In the [[2020 Mississippi State Bulldogs football team|2020 season]], he tallied 39 tackles with three being for a loss, and a pass deflection.<ref>{{cite web |title=Nathaniel Watson 2020 Game Logs |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/nathaniel-watson-1/gamelog/2020/ |website=Sports Reference |access-date=17 August 2023}}</ref> In week seven of the [[2021 Mississippi State Bulldogs football team|2021 season]], Watson had a breakout game posting 16 tackles with one going for a loss, and a sack, though the Bulldogs lost to [[2021 Alabama Crimson Tide football team|#5 Alabama]] 49-9.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Hall |first1=Erik |title=No. 5 Alabama vs. Mississippi State college football video highlights, final score |url=https://www.clarionledger.com/story/sports/college/mississippi-state/2021/10/16/alabama-vs-mississippi-state-football-video-highlights-score/8476155002/ |website=The Clarion-Ledger |access-date=17 August 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Alabama 49-9 Mississippi State |url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/boxscore/_/gameId/401282107 |website=ESPN |access-date=17 August 2023}}</ref> He finished the 2021 season with 83 tackles with six going for a loss, five sacks, and a pass deflection.<ref>{{cite web |title=Nathaniel Watson 2021 Game Logs |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/nathaniel-watson-1/gamelog/2021/ |website=Sports Reference |access-date=17 August 2023}}</ref> 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 [[2022 Arizona Wildcats football team|Arizona]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=DeRosa |first1=Theo |title=Tuesday Replay: Mississippi State intercepts Arizona’s Jayden de Laura three times in victory |url=https://cdispatch.com/sports/2022-09-13/tuesday-replay-mississippi-state-intercepts-arizonas-jayden-de-laura-three-times-in-victory/ |website=The Dispatch |access-date=17 August 2023}}</ref> 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 [[2022 Texas A&M Aggies football team|Texas A&M]] 42-24.<ref>{{cite web |title=Mississippi St. forces 4 turnovers to roll No. 17 Texas A&M |url=https://www.kbtx.com/2022/10/02/mississippi-st-forces-4-turnovers-roll-no-17-texas-am/ |website=KBTX |access-date=17 August 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Brezina |first1=Austin |title=Nathaniel Watson ejected after controversial targeting call against Max Johnson |url=https://www.on3.com/college/mississippi-state-bulldogs/news/nathaniel-watson-ejected-after-controversial-targeting-call-against-max-johnson-texas-am/ |website=On3.com |access-date=17 August 2023}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite web |title=Nathaniel Watson 2022 Game Logs |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/nathaniel-watson-1/gamelog/2022/ |website=Sports Reference |access-date=17 August 2023}}</ref> For his performance, Watson was named second team all-SEC.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Faulk |first1=Robbie |title=Trio of Bulldogs grab All-SEC honors by the Associated Press |url=https://247sports.com/college/mississippi-state/Article/Mississippi-State-football-All-SEC-Tulu-Griffin-Nathaniel-Watson-Emmanuel-Forbes--199650499/ |website=247Sports |access-date=17 August 2023}}</ref> Watson was named preseason second-team all-SEC ahead of the 2023 season.<ref>{{cite web |title=Judkins, pair of bulldogs named to SIS Preseason All-SEC Team |url=https://sports.yahoo.com/amphtml/judkins-pair-bulldogs-named-sis-190500602.html |website=Yahoo Sports |access-date=17 August 2023}}</ref> Watson was also named a preseason fourth team all-American by Athlon Sports.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Lassan |first1=Steven |title=2023 College Football Preseason All-America Team |url=https://athlonsports.com/college-football/college-football-2023-all-america-team |website=Athlon Sports |access-date=17 August 2023}}</ref> Watson was also named to multiple award watch lists, such as for the [[Lombardi Award]] and the [[Bednarik Award]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Froyd |first1=Crissy |title=Mississippi State LB Nathaniel Watson Named To Lombardi Award Watch List |url=https://www.si.com/college/mississippistate/football/mississippi-state-linebacker-nathaniel-watson-named-to-2023-lombardi-award-watch-list |website=Sports Illustrated |access-date=17 August 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Murphy |first1=Alex |title=Nathaniel Watson named to Bednarik Award watch list |url=https://cdispatch.com/sports/college-sports/2023-08-15/nathaniel-watson-named-to-bednarik-award-watch-list/ |website=The Dispatch |access-date=17 August 2023}}</ref>
+Watson played sparingly in his first two seasons at Mississippi State in [[2018 Mississippi State Bulldogs football team|2018]] and [[2019 Mississippi State Bulldogs football team|2019]], recording a combined five tackles, with one going for loss.<ref>{{cite web |title=Nathaniel Watson 2018 Game Logs |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/nathaniel-watson-1/gamelog/2018/ |website=Sports Reference |access-date=17 August 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Nathaniel Watson 2019 Game Logs |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/nathaniel-watson-1/gamelog/2019/ |website=Sports Reference |access-date=17 August 2023}}</ref> In the [[2020 Mississippi State Bulldogs football team|2020 season]], he tallied 39 tackles with three being for a loss, and a pass deflection.<ref>{{cite web |title=Nathaniel Watson 2020 Game Logs |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/nathaniel-watson-1/gamelog/2020/ |website=Sports Reference |access-date=17 August 2023}}</ref> In week seven of the [[2021 Mississippi State Bulldogs football team|2021 season]], Watson had a breakout game posting 16 tackles with one going for a loss, and a sack, though the Bulldogs lost to [[2021 Alabama Crimson Tide football team|#5 Alabama]] 49–9.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Hall |first1=Erik |title=No. 5 Alabama vs. Mississippi State college football video highlights, final score |url=https://www.clarionledger.com/story/sports/college/mississippi-state/2021/10/16/alabama-vs-mississippi-state-football-video-highlights-score/8476155002/ |website=The Clarion-Ledger |date=16 October 2021 |access-date=17 August 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Alabama 49-9 Mississippi State |url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/boxscore/_/gameId/401282107 |website=ESPN |access-date=17 August 2023}}</ref> He finished the 2021 season with 83 tackles with six going for a loss, five sacks, and a pass deflection.<ref>{{cite web |title=Nathaniel Watson 2021 Game Logs |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/nathaniel-watson-1/gamelog/2021/ |website=Sports Reference |access-date=17 August 2023}}</ref> Watson recorded his first interception in week two of the [[2022 Mississippi State Bulldogs football team|2022 season]], picking off [[Jayden de Laura]] and returning it 51 yards, as he helped Mississippi State beat [[2022 Arizona Wildcats football team|Arizona]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=DeRosa |first1=Theo |title=Tuesday Replay: Mississippi State intercepts Arizona's Jayden de Laura three times in victory |url=https://cdispatch.com/sports/2022-09-13/tuesday-replay-mississippi-state-intercepts-arizonas-jayden-de-laura-three-times-in-victory/ |website=The Dispatch |date=13 September 2022 |access-date=17 August 2023}}</ref> 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 [[2022 Texas A&M Aggies football team|Texas A&M]] 42–24.<ref>{{cite web |title=Mississippi St. forces 4 turnovers to roll No. 17 Texas A&M |url=https://www.kbtx.com/2022/10/02/mississippi-st-forces-4-turnovers-roll-no-17-texas-am/ |website=KBTX |date=2 October 2022 |access-date=17 August 2023}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Brezina |first=Austin |date=October 1, 2022 |title=Nathaniel Watson ejected after controversial targeting call against Max Johnson |url=https://www.on3.com/college/mississippi-state-bulldogs/news/nathaniel-watson-ejected-after-controversial-targeting-call-against-max-johnson-texas-am/ |access-date=17 August 2023 |website=On3.com}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite web |title=Nathaniel Watson 2022 Game Logs |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/nathaniel-watson-1/gamelog/2022/ |website=Sports Reference |access-date=17 August 2023}}</ref> For his performance, Watson was named second team all-SEC.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Faulk |first=Robbie |date=December 5, 2022 |title=Trio of Bulldogs grab All-SEC honors by the Associated Press |url=https://247sports.com/college/mississippi-state/Article/Mississippi-State-football-All-SEC-Tulu-Griffin-Nathaniel-Watson-Emmanuel-Forbes--199650499/ |access-date=17 August 2023 |website=247Sports}}</ref> Watson was named preseason second-team all-SEC ahead of the [[2023 Mississippi State Bulldogs football team|2023 season]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=July 19, 2023 |title=Judkins, pair of bulldogs named to SIS Preseason All-SEC Team |url=https://sports.yahoo.com/amphtml/judkins-pair-bulldogs-named-sis-190500602.html |access-date=17 August 2023 |website=Yahoo! Sports|via=Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal}}</ref> Watson was also named a preseason fourth team all-American by Athlon Sports.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lassan |first=Steven |date=June 5, 2023 |title=2023 College Football Preseason All-America Team |url=https://athlonsports.com/college-football/college-football-2023-all-america-team |access-date=17 August 2023 |website=Athlon Sports}}</ref> Watson was also named to multiple award watch lists, such as for the [[Lombardi Award]] and the [[Bednarik Award]].<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Froyd |first=Crissy |date=August 15, 2023 |title=Mississippi State LB Nathaniel Watson Named To Lombardi Award Watch List |url=https://www.si.com/college/mississippistate/football/mississippi-state-linebacker-nathaniel-watson-named-to-2023-lombardi-award-watch-list |access-date=17 August 2023 |magazine=Sports Illustrated}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Murphy |first1=Alex |title=Nathaniel Watson named to Bednarik Award watch list |url=https://cdispatch.com/sports/college-sports/2023-08-15/nathaniel-watson-named-to-bednarik-award-watch-list/ |website=The Dispatch |date=15 August 2023 |access-date=17 August 2023}}</ref>
+==Professional career==
+{{NFL predraft
+|    height ft = 6
+|    height in = 2 1/4
+|       weight = 233
+|         dash = 4.63
+|    ten split = 1.59
+| twenty split = 2.70
+|      shuttle = 4.44
+|   cone drill = 7.34
+|     vertical = 31.0
+|     broad ft = 9
+|     broad in = 3
+|        bench = 16
+|     arm span = 32 7/8
+|    hand span = 9 7/8
+|         note = All values from [[NFL Combine]]/[[Pro Day]]<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.nfl.com/prospects/nathaniel-watson/32005741-5447-1746-3779-3f5198d4afe6 |title=Nathaniel Watson Draft and Combine Prospect Profile |website=NFL.com |access-date=March 24, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://draftscout.com/dsprofile.php?PlayerId=1029794&DraftYear=2024 |title=2024 NFL Draft Scout Nathaniel Watson College Football Profile |website=DraftScout.com |access-date=March 24, 2024}}</ref>
+}}
+Watson was drafted by the [[Cleveland Browns]] in the sixth round with the 206th overall pick in the [[2024 NFL draft]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ulrich |first=Nate |date=April 27, 2024 |title=Nathaniel Watson to Browns in NFL draft: Instant grade, analysis, stats for 206th pick |url=https://www.beaconjournal.com/story/sports/pro/browns/2024/04/27/nathaniel-watson-cleveland-browns-nfl-draft-grade/73458292007/ |access-date=2024-06-24 |website=Akron Beacon Journal |language=en-US}}</ref> He was waived on September 19, 2024, and re-signed to the practice squad.<ref>{{Cite web|date=September 19, 2024|title=Browns waive LB Nathaniel Watson|website=ClevelandBrowns.com}}</ref> He was promoted to the active roster on October 2.
 ==Personal life==
+Watson's uncle [[Harold Morrow]] played in the NFL as a fullback from 1996 to 2005. His great uncle is [[Tommie Agee (American football)|Tommie Agee]], who played in the NFL as a running back from 1988 to 1994, and won Super Bowls [[Super Bowl XXVII|XXVII]] and [[Super Bowl XXVIII|XXVIII]] with the [[Dallas Cowboys]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Rookie linebacker Nathaniel Watson ready if called on, has skills to be leader on defense|url=https://chroniclet.com/news/391696/rookie-linebacker-nathaniel-watson-ready-if-called-on-has-skills-to-be-leader-on-defense/|access-date=September 20, 2024|website=chroniclet.com|language=en}}</ref>
-On August 15, 2023, Watson was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence, according to a booking log from the Oktibbeha County Sheriff's Office. The arrest was made by Mississippi State University Police Department at 1:27 a.m.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Krajisnik |first1=Stefan |title=Mississippi State football LB Nathaniel Watson arrested on suspicion of DUI |url=https://www.clarionledger.com/story/sports/college/mississippi-state/2023/05/15/nathaniel-watson-arrest-dui-mississippi-state-football/70217426007/ |website=The Clairon-Ledger |access-date=17 August 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Backus |first1=Will |title=Mississippi State LB Nathaniel Watson, SEC's second-leading tackler, arrested on suspicion of DUI charge |url=https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/news/mississippi-state-lb-nathaniel-watson-secs-second-leading-tackler-arrested-on-suspicion-of-dui-charge/ |website=CBS Sports |access-date=17 August 2023}}</ref>
+On August 15, 2023, Watson was arrested by the Mississippi State University Police Department on suspicion of driving under the influence.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Krajisnik |first1=Stefan |title=Mississippi State football LB Nathaniel Watson arrested on suspicion of DUI |url=https://www.clarionledger.com/story/sports/college/mississippi-state/2023/05/15/nathaniel-watson-arrest-dui-mississippi-state-football/70217426007/ |website=The Clairon-Ledger |date=15 May 2023 |access-date=17 August 2023}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Backus |first=Will |date=May 15, 2023 |title=Mississippi State LB Nathaniel Watson, SEC's second-leading tackler, arrested on suspicion of DUI charge |url=https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/news/mississippi-state-lb-nathaniel-watson-secs-second-leading-tackler-arrested-on-suspicion-of-dui-charge/ |access-date=17 August 2023 |website=CBS Sports}}</ref>
 ==References==
@@ Line 35: / Line 86: @@
 ==External links==
+*[https://www.clevelandbrowns.com/team/players-roster/nathaniel-watson/ Cleveland Browns bio]
 *[https://hailstate.com/sports/football/roster/nathaniel-watson/10032 Mississippi State Bulldogs bio]
+{{Browns2024DraftPicks}}
+{{Cleveland Browns roster navbox}}
 {{DEFAULTSORT:Watson, Nathaniel}}
@@ Line 43: / Line 98: @@
 [[Category:Mississippi State Bulldogs football players]]
 [[Category:Players of American football from Alabama]]
+[[Category:Cleveland Browns players]]

v t e Cleveland Browns roster
Active	0 Greg Newsome II 1 Juan Thornhill 3 Jerry Jeudy 4 Deshaun Watson 6 Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah 7 Dustin Hopkins 9 Grant Delpit 13 Corey Bojorquez 17 Dorian Thompson-Robinson 18 David Bell 19 Cedric Tillman 20 Pierre Strong Jr. 21 Denzel Ward 23 Martin Emerson 26 Myles Harden 29 Cameron Mitchell 33 Ronnie Hickman 34 Jerome Ford 35 Chigozie Anusiem 40 Nathaniel Watson 41 Chris Edmonds 43 Mohamoud Diabate 47 Charley Hughlett 50 Rex Sunahara 51 Michael Hall Jr. 54 Ogbo Okoronkwo 55 Ethan Pocic 56 Luke Wypler 57 Isaiah McGuire 58 Jordan Hicks 62 Michael Dwumfour 70 Zak Zinter 75 Joel Bitonio 77 Wyatt Teller 78 Jack Conklin 79 Dawand Jones 80 Jamari Thrash 81 Michael Woods II 82 Brenden Bates 85 David Njoku 89 Kaden Davis 91 Alex Wright 92 Sam Kamara 93 Shelby Harris 94 Dalvin Tomlinson 95 Myles Garrett 97 Jowon Briggs 99 Cameron Thomas
Reserve lists	10 Andre Szmyt (Futures) 28 Trey Dean (Futures) 52 Elerson Smith (Futures) 60 Julian Pearl (Futures) 61 Roy Mbaeteka (Futures) 67 Javion Cohen (Futures) 69 Lorenzo Thompson (Futures) 87 Tre' McKitty (Futures) 98 Marcus Haynes (Futures)
Free agents	2 Bailey Zappe (RFA) 5 Jameis Winston (UFA) 8 Elijah Moore (UFA) 11 James Proche (UFA) 12 Rodney McLeod (UFA) 22 Nyheim Hines (UFA) 24 Nick Chubb (UFA) 27 D'Onta Foreman (UFA) 30 Devin Bush Jr. (UFA) 31 Mike Ford (UFA) 37 D'Anthony Bell (RFA) 38 Tony Brown (UFA) 39 Khaleke Hudson (UFA) 42 John Kelly (RFA) 53 Nick Harris (UFA) 59 Winston Reid (ERFA) 65 Germain Ifedi (UFA) 66 James Hudson (UFA) 68 Michael Dunn (UFA) 71 Jedrick Wills (UFA) 72 Geron Christian (UFA) 74 Hakeem Adeniji (UFA) 84 Geoff Swaim (UFA) 86 Blake Whiteheart (ERFA) 88 Jordan Akins (UFA) 90 Maurice Hurst Jr. (UFA) 96 James Houston (RFA)