Photo by: Mississippi State Athletics
Nathaniel Watson Named Semifinalist For Butkus Award
November 06, 2023 | Football
STARKVILLE – Mississippi State football's Nathaniel Watson was named a semifinalist for the prestigious Butkus Award given annually to the nation's best linebacker.
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Watson becomes the fourth Bulldog in program history to be named a semifinalist for the Butkus Award and the first since Benardrick McKinney in 2014.
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The Maplesville, Ala. native adds to his list of accolades this season with this honor. Watson was previously named the Bednarik Award National Player of the Week and the SEC Defensive Player of the Week following his strong performance in week eight at Arkansas when he had a season-high 14 tackles and two sacks.
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As he has done throughout his career, Watson has again put together a strong season. Through nine games, he has tallied 87 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, and eight sacks. His 87 tackles on the year rank second in the SEC and 19th in the FBS, while his 8.0 sacks lead the SEC and rank 9th nationally. The eight sacks that Watson has earned this season are also a career-high, beating his previous career mark of six set last season. Watson has earned a tackle grade this season of 90.3, according to Pro Football Focus.
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On top of his strong tackle numbers, Watson has also recorded a career-high three pass breakups to go along with an interception, a forced fumble and two fumble recoveries.
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In his career, Watson has played in 54 games and totaled 329 tackles to go along with 32 tackles for loss and 19 sacks. He has two career interceptions and seven pass breakups. Two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries.
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Watson and the Bulldogs will play their final regular season road game this weekend when they travel to Bryan-College Station, Texas, to take on the Aggies. Kickoff is set for 6:30 p.m. CT on ESPN2.
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For the most up-to-date information on the Bulldogs, follow MSU football on Twitter, like them on Facebook and join them on Instagram by searching for "HailStateFB."
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Watson becomes the fourth Bulldog in program history to be named a semifinalist for the Butkus Award and the first since Benardrick McKinney in 2014.
Â
The Maplesville, Ala. native adds to his list of accolades this season with this honor. Watson was previously named the Bednarik Award National Player of the Week and the SEC Defensive Player of the Week following his strong performance in week eight at Arkansas when he had a season-high 14 tackles and two sacks.
Â
As he has done throughout his career, Watson has again put together a strong season. Through nine games, he has tallied 87 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, and eight sacks. His 87 tackles on the year rank second in the SEC and 19th in the FBS, while his 8.0 sacks lead the SEC and rank 9th nationally. The eight sacks that Watson has earned this season are also a career-high, beating his previous career mark of six set last season. Watson has earned a tackle grade this season of 90.3, according to Pro Football Focus.
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On top of his strong tackle numbers, Watson has also recorded a career-high three pass breakups to go along with an interception, a forced fumble and two fumble recoveries.
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In his career, Watson has played in 54 games and totaled 329 tackles to go along with 32 tackles for loss and 19 sacks. He has two career interceptions and seven pass breakups. Two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries.
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Watson and the Bulldogs will play their final regular season road game this weekend when they travel to Bryan-College Station, Texas, to take on the Aggies. Kickoff is set for 6:30 p.m. CT on ESPN2.
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For the most up-to-date information on the Bulldogs, follow MSU football on Twitter, like them on Facebook and join them on Instagram by searching for "HailStateFB."
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– HailState.com –
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