Photo by: Mississippi State Athletics
Nathaniel Watson Named Butkus Award Finalist
November 21, 2023 | Football
STARKVILLE – Mississippi State football's Nathaniel Watson was named a finalist for the prestigious Butkus Award given annually to the nation's best linebacker.
With the honor, Watson became the first Bulldog in program history to be named a finalist for the Butkus Award.
The Maplesville, Ala. native has had a stellar final campaign for Mississippi State. Watson's 10 sacks on the year currently leads the SEC and ranks eighth nationally, while his 116 total tackles rank second in the SEC and 10th nationally.
On the year, Watson has produced five double-digit tackle games while leading the team in tackles six times. He has recorded at least a half sack in eight of the last nine games, the longest streak by a Bulldog since Montez Sweat did it in 2017. Watson has also recorded five QB hurries, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, a pair of pass breakups and an interception.
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Throughout the season, Watson has earned numerous honors and been recognized for his play on the field. Most recently, Watson was named the SEC Defensive Player of the Week for the second time this season after setting a career-high in tackles against Southern Miss. Against the Golden Eagles, Watson registered 21 tackles, the most by any SEC defender since 2017 and the most by any Bulldog since 2000. On top of his 21 tackles, Watson added a sack to give him 10 on the year and be one of only eight FBS players this season to have double-digit sacks.
Following week eight of the season, Watson earned both SEC Defensive Player of the Week honors and Bednarik National Defensive Player of the Week honors for his dominant performance at Arkansas. Against the Razorbacks, Watson recorded a then season-high 14 tackles, nine assisted and five solo, to go along with two sacks. His double-digit tackle performance was also his 14th career game with double-digit tackles. He also earned his 300th career tackle in the contest.
According to Pro Football Focus, Watson leads all of college football in overall tackle grade at 90.7 and is ranked second in total pressures with 32.
In his career, Watson has played in 56 games and totaled 358 tackles to go along with 34.5 tackles for loss and 21 sacks. He has two career interceptions, seven pass breakups, three forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries.
2023 Butkus Award Finalists
Ty'Ron Hopper, Missouri Jeremiah Trotter Jr., Clemson Edefuan Ulofoshio, Washington Nathaniel Watson, Mississippi State Payton Wilson, NC State
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With the honor, Watson became the first Bulldog in program history to be named a finalist for the Butkus Award.
The Maplesville, Ala. native has had a stellar final campaign for Mississippi State. Watson's 10 sacks on the year currently leads the SEC and ranks eighth nationally, while his 116 total tackles rank second in the SEC and 10th nationally.
On the year, Watson has produced five double-digit tackle games while leading the team in tackles six times. He has recorded at least a half sack in eight of the last nine games, the longest streak by a Bulldog since Montez Sweat did it in 2017. Watson has also recorded five QB hurries, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, a pair of pass breakups and an interception.
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Throughout the season, Watson has earned numerous honors and been recognized for his play on the field. Most recently, Watson was named the SEC Defensive Player of the Week for the second time this season after setting a career-high in tackles against Southern Miss. Against the Golden Eagles, Watson registered 21 tackles, the most by any SEC defender since 2017 and the most by any Bulldog since 2000. On top of his 21 tackles, Watson added a sack to give him 10 on the year and be one of only eight FBS players this season to have double-digit sacks.
Following week eight of the season, Watson earned both SEC Defensive Player of the Week honors and Bednarik National Defensive Player of the Week honors for his dominant performance at Arkansas. Against the Razorbacks, Watson recorded a then season-high 14 tackles, nine assisted and five solo, to go along with two sacks. His double-digit tackle performance was also his 14th career game with double-digit tackles. He also earned his 300th career tackle in the contest.
According to Pro Football Focus, Watson leads all of college football in overall tackle grade at 90.7 and is ranked second in total pressures with 32.
In his career, Watson has played in 56 games and totaled 358 tackles to go along with 34.5 tackles for loss and 21 sacks. He has two career interceptions, seven pass breakups, three forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries.
2023 Butkus Award Finalists
Ty'Ron Hopper, Missouri Jeremiah Trotter Jr., Clemson Edefuan Ulofoshio, Washington Nathaniel Watson, Mississippi State Payton Wilson, NC State
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