As the Texas Longhorns look to add to their defense, one player they are showing interest in is Maraad Watson. The former Syracuse star is coming off a very good freshman season and has been connected to the Longhorns since entering the transfer portal. Adding him to the mix would give Texas another impact piece on a defense that surpassed expectations last season.
During the 2024-2025 campaign, Watson recorded 30 total tackles and one sack. He also added one pass deflection to his resume. Due to his play, the Irvington High School product is drawing interest from some of the top programs in the country. That includes Georgia, Ohio State, and Tennessee.
Coming out of high school, Watson was a three-star prospect and ranked as the 12th-best player in his class from New Jersey. Now, he is a four-star transfer and is ranked as the sixth-best defensive lineman in the portal. He also has plenty to grow and should continue to improve with more experience.
NEWS: Four schools are heavily in the mix for Syracuse standout transfer DL Maraad Watson, a source tells @on3sports
Texas, Georgia, Ohio State, & Tennessee are the schools to watch for the Freshman All-American
Totaled 31 Tackles and 1 Sack last seasonhttps://t.co/RlUbB6EMhSpic.twitter.com/Ev9RNCvQhj
— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) April 19, 2025
For Watson, joining a program that can develop players will be key. The Longhorns have excelled in that area, as a program record 11 players were selected in the 2024 NFL Draft. In four days, defensive linemen Alfred Collins and Vernon Broughton could hear their names called in the 2025 draft after productive careers with Texas.
Over the next few weeks, Watson will be a popular player in the portal. He still has significant eligibility and has proven he can hold his own. For the Longhorns’ defense to keep playing at a high level, adding a player like Watson is critical.
The Longhorns have been busy improving their roster this spring, and adding Watson would cap off a very productive offseason.
This article originally appeared on Longhorns Wire: Maraad Watson
As the Texas Longhorns look to add to their defense, one player they are showing interest in is Maraad Watson. The former Syracuse star is coming off a very good freshman season and has been connected to the Longhorns since entering the transfer portal. Adding him to the mix would give Texas another impact piece on a defense that surpassed expectations last season.
During the 2024-2025 campaign, Watson recorded 30 total tackles and one sack. He also added one pass deflection to his resume. Due to his play, the Irvington High School product is drawing interest from some of the top programs in the country. That includes Georgia, Ohio State, and Tennessee.
Coming out of high school, Watson was a three-star prospect and ranked as the 12th-best player in his class from New Jersey. Now, he is a four-star transfer and is ranked as the sixth-best defensive lineman in the portal. He also has plenty to grow and should continue to improve with more experience.
NEWS: Four schools are heavily in the mix for Syracuse standout transfer DL Maraad Watson, a source tells @on3sports
Texas, Georgia, Ohio State, & Tennessee are the schools to watch for the Freshman All-American
Totaled 31 Tackles and 1 Sack last seasonhttps://t.co/RlUbB6EMhSpic.twitter.com/Ev9RNCvQhj
— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) April 19, 2025
For Watson, joining a program that can develop players will be key. The Longhorns have excelled in that area, as a program record 11 players were selected in the 2024 NFL Draft. In four days, defensive linemen Alfred Collins and Vernon Broughton could hear their names called in the 2025 draft after productive careers with Texas.
Over the next few weeks, Watson will be a popular player in the portal. He still has significant eligibility and has proven he can hold his own. For the Longhorns’ defense to keep playing at a high level, adding a player like Watson is critical.
The Longhorns have been busy improving their roster this spring, and adding Watson would cap off a very productive offseason.
This article originally appeared on Longhorns Wire: Maraad Watson
