Report: Syracuse transfer DT Maraad Watson considering Texas
The Longhorns are one of four schools in the mix for the Freshman All-American
After addressing three pressing needs in the NCAA transfer portal on Friday, the Texas Longhorns aren’t finished, reportedly emerging as one of four contenders for former Syracuse Orange defensive tackle Maraad Watson, who just entered the portal.
Watson is an extremely rare commodity in the portal — a proven defensive tackle at the Power Four level who has significant eligibility remaining. Concurrently, that means that the price tag for Watson will be high and selling the recent success at Texas and the opportunities that come from being in Austin may not be enough to win out if other schools make bigger offers.
But the Longhorns also desperately need an impact player in the trenches for Pete Kwiatkowski’s defense to continue playing at a high level in 2025.
A consensus three-star prospect ranked as the No. 1,212 player nationally and the No. 128 defensive lineman, according to the 247Sports Composite rankings, Watson has already overachieved compared to the perceptions of him as a recruit. It’s also notable that the Volunteers have a pre-existing relationship with the Irvington (N.J.) prospect after hosting him on an official visit during the 2024 cycle. Watson also held offers from Nebraska and Rutgers, along with a number of non-Power Four schools.
As a true freshman, Watson made 11 starts and appeared in every game for the Orange, earning Freshman All-American honors from 247Sports after recording 31 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, one sack, a pass breakup, and a quarterback hurry on the year.
