Nathaniel Watson Bio
Nathaniel “Bookie” Watson (born September 1, 2000) is an American professional football linebacker for the Cleveland Browns of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Mississippi State Bulldogs from 2018 to 2023. Watson was selected by the Cleveland Browns in the sixth round of the 2024 NFL Draft with the 206th overall pick. He earned SEC Defensive Player of the Year honors and first-team All-SEC recognition following a standout 2023 season at Mississippi State. Watson was placed on injured reserve in August 2025, ending his 2025 campaign.
Early Life and Background
Nathaniel Watson was born on September 1, 2000, in Maplesville, Alabama, United States. He grew up in Maplesville and attended Maplesville High School. His athletic career in high school included playing both receiver and linebacker. As a receiver, Watson recorded 45 catches for 1,070 yards and 12 touchdowns, while also adding 376 rushing yards and five touchdowns. As a linebacker, he accumulated 70 tackles and four interceptions, returning two of those for touchdowns.
Watson demonstrated his versatility and talent at the high school level, showcasing the skills that would later define his collegiate career. His performance attracted attention from multiple college programs. He ultimately chose to continue his football journey at Mississippi State, selecting the Bulldogs over other prominent programs including Auburn and Ole Miss.
Path to American Football
Upon arriving at Mississippi State, Watson initially saw limited playing time during his freshman and sophomore seasons in 2018 and 2019. He recorded a combined five tackles over those two seasons, with one tackle going for a loss. This developmental period allowed him to adjust to the collegiate level while learning behind experienced players.
The 2020 season marked Watson’s emergence as a consistent contributor. He recorded 39 tackles with three going for a loss and added one pass deflection. His breakout performance came during week seven of the 2021 season against the fifth-ranked Alabama Crimson Tide. Watson posted 16 tackles with one going for a loss and recorded his first collegiate sack, despite the Bulldogs falling 49-9 in that game. That performance established him as a key member of Mississippi State’s defense moving forward.
Nathaniel Watson Career
Mississippi State Years (2018–2023)
Watson built upon his 2021 breakout throughout the 2021 season, finishing with 83 tackles including six for a loss. He recorded five sacks and one pass deflection that year. The following 2022 season became his most productive at the collegiate level. In week two, Watson recorded his first career interception, picking off Jayden de Laura and returning it 51 yards in a victory over Arizona. During week five against Texas A&M, he forced a fumble in the red zone in the second quarter, though he was later ejected in the second half on a controversial targeting call. Watson finished the 2022 season with 133 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, six sacks, one pass deflection, one interception, and one forced fumble.
His exceptional 2022 performance earned him second-team All-SEC recognition. Entering the 2023 season, Watson was named preseason second-team All-SEC and received preseason fourth-team All-American honors from Athlon Sports. He also appeared on watch lists for prestigious awards including the Lombardi Award and Bednarik Award. Watson was on pace for another outstanding season before his collegiate career concluded, compiling 56 tackles through nine games that year.
Cleveland Browns Era (2024–Present)
Following his collegiate career, Watson entered the 2024 NFL Draft. The Cleveland Browns selected him in the sixth round with the 206th overall pick. Watson began his professional career with the Browns but faced an immediate challenge when he was waived on September 19, 2024. He was subsequently re-signed to the team’s practice squad. His persistence paid off when he was promoted to the active roster on October 2, 2024, securing his spot on the Browns’ 53-man roster.
The 2025 season presented challenges for Watson. He appeared in the season opener before being placed on injured reserve on August 21, 2025, which ended his 2025 campaign. Watson has recorded 14 total tackles and one pass deflection through his early NFL career. The Browns remain hopeful regarding his recovery and future contributions to the team.
Playing Style and Strengths
Watson has demonstrated versatility throughout his football career, excelling at multiple positions. His collegiate production showed consistent improvement year over year, with his ability to make plays in both run defense and pass rush standing out. His instincts and tackling ability enabled him to lead Mississippi State’s defense in multiple statistical categories during his most productive seasons. His experience playing both receiver and linebacker in high school contributed to his football IQ and situational awareness at the collegiate level.
Notable Events and Milestones
Watson’s career has featured several significant milestones. His breakout game against Alabama in 2021 established him as a defensive force in the SEC. The 2022 season represented his full emergence, with his interception return against Arizona and forced fumble against Texas A&M highlighting his playmaking ability. His transition to the NFL required resilience, as he navigated being waived and re-signed to the practice squad before earning his spot on the Browns’ active roster. His selection as SEC Defensive Player of the Year in 2023 recognized his status as one of the conference’s top defenders.
Nathaniel Watson Career Statistics
Watson’s verified career statistics reflect his production across collegiate and professional levels. His collegiate career at Mississippi State showed steady growth from limited early playing time to becoming one of the SEC’s top defenders. His professional statistics through 2025 include limited games due to his placement on injured reserve.
Mississippi State Highlights
Watson’s Mississippi State career spanned six seasons from 2018 to 2023. His most productive single-season performance came in 2022 when he recorded 133 total tackles with 12 tackles for loss and six sacks. He also contributed one interception and one forced fumble that season. His 2023 season was cut short due to his transition to the NFL, but he was on pace for impressive numbers before departing. Watson earned SEC Defensive Player of the Year honors following his 2023 campaign and received first-team All-SEC recognition that same year. He was also named second-team All-SEC following his 2022 season.
NFL Statistics
Through the 2025 season, Watson has recorded 14 total tackles and one pass deflection in his NFL career. His rookie season in 2024 involved limited defensive appearances as he worked his way from the practice squad to the active roster. His 2025 season was cut short due to injury after appearing in the season opener.
| Level | Season | Total Tackles | TFL | Sacks | INT | FF |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| College (MSU) | 2022 | 133 | 12 | 6 | 1 | 1 |
| NFL | 2024-2025 | 14 | — | — | — | — |
Nathaniel Watson Family
Family Background and Football Lineage
Nathaniel Watson comes from a family with deep roots in professional football. His uncle, Harold Morrow, played in the NFL as a fullback from 1996 to 2005. Watson’s great-uncle, Tommie Agee, was a running back in the NFL from 1988 to 1994. Agee notably won Super Bowls XXVII and XXVIII as a member of the Dallas Cowboys, providing Watson with a legacy of championship success in professional football.
Personal Life
Watson has faced off-field challenges during his football career. On August 15, 2023, he was arrested by the Mississippi State University Police Department on suspicion of driving under the influence. The incident occurred during his final collegiate season. Watson continues to pursue his professional football career with the Cleveland Browns while working through his recovery from the 2025 season-ending injury.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season brought both opportunity and adversity for Watson with the Cleveland Browns. He opened the season as a member of the active roster and appeared in the season opener. His early-season participation suggested he was competing for a regular role in the Browns’ defensive plans. However, the season took an unexpected turn when Watson was placed on injured reserve on August 21, 2025, prematurely ending his campaign.
Watson’s injury occurred during the early portion of the season, forcing him to miss the remainder of the year. The Browns’ coaching staff and medical team have been managing his recovery process. His absence created an opportunity for other linebackers on the roster to step into expanded roles. The Browns’ defensive scheme requires depth at the linebacker position, and Watson’s long-term development remains part of the team’s future planning.
Looking ahead, Watson will focus on completing his rehabilitation and returning to full health for future seasons. His trajectory from a sixth-round draft pick to earning a spot on the active roster demonstrates his resilience and determination. The Browns organization continues to evaluate their linebacker situation as they build toward upcoming seasons, with Watson potentially factored into their long-term plans pending his recovery from the 2025 injury.