Mississippi State Linebacker Nathaniel Watson Named Semifinalist for Butkus Award

Mississippi State linebacker Nathaniel Watson has shined for the Bulldogs throughout his fifth year, and the NCAA has taken notice.

The graduate student was named a semifinalist for the Butkus Award, which puts him in the conversation as the nation's best linebacker.

Through nine games, Watson has logged 87 tackles (second-most in the SEC and 19th in the FBS), including 10 tackles for loss, and eight sacks (most in the SEC and ninth in the FBS). He's also recorded two pass breakups, two fumble recoveries, a forced fumble and an interception.

Watson's been consistent throughout his NFL Draft-building season, as he's had just one game with under seven tackles and has tallied double-digits in that category in four contests. An argument could be made that his best game came in the 7-3 victory over Arkansas, as he finished with 14 tackles (including two for loss), two sacks and was named the SEC Defensive Player of the Week and Bednarik Award Player of the Week.

Watson is the fourth player in school history to be named a semifinalist for the prestigious award and is the first since Benardrick McKinney in 2014. Some notable linebackers to receive the honor in its nearly 40-year history include Brian Bosworth, Derrick Thomas and Luke Kuechly.

The former 3-star recruit wasn't highly scouted, as he had just six power-five offers before he committed to Mississippi State in 2017. Watson also didn't really see the field much until his junior year in 2021.

The 23-year-old got his big break in 2022, as he finished second on the team in tackles (113) and first in tackles for loss (12) and sacks (6) in 13 games. Watson earned a spot on the All-SEC Second Team for his efforts.