Markees Watts Bio
Markees Watts is an American professional football linebacker who most recently played for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the National Football League (NFL). He entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent in 2023 following a four-year college career at the University of Charlotte. Watts has built his professional reputation as a reliable special teams contributor, appearing in 27 games across three seasons with the Buccaneers organization.
Early Life and Background
Markees Watts was born on December 7, 1999, in Lancaster, South Carolina. He grew up in his hometown and attended Lancaster High School, where he developed into a standout defensive player. Watts earned back-to-back regional defensive player of the year honors during his sophomore and junior seasons, accumulating 27 sacks over those two years combined. His senior season was cut short when he suffered a season-ending injury on the very first play of the campaign.
Despite the injury setback, Watts continued his football journey at the next level. He received a two-star recruit ranking coming out of high school and made the decision to continue his academic and athletic career at the collegiate level.
Path to Professional Football
Watts committed to play college football for the Charlotte 49ers, beginning his collegiate career in 2018. He saw action as a true freshman in all 12 games, recording two tackles during the season. His most productive college season came in 2019 when he started all 13 games and finished third in Conference USA with 9.5 sacks, earning honorable mention All-Conference USA recognition for his performance.
The 2020 season was shortened due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and Watts appeared in five games with one start. He bounced back strongly in 2021, starting all 12 games and leading the team with 9.0 tackles-for-loss while placing second on the squad with 4.0 sacks. After completing his senior season in 2022, Watts entered the 2023 NFL Draft but went undrafted.
Markees Watts Career
Early Career (2023)
Markees Watts signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as an undrafted free agent on May 12, 2023. The signing marked his entry into professional football following four seasons at Charlotte. Watts quickly established himself in the Buccaneers organization, earning a roster spot through his performance during offseason activities and training camp.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2023–2025)
Over his three seasons with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers from 2023 to 2025, Watts served primarily as a special teams contributor. He appeared in 27 games during his tenure with the team, becoming a reliable presence on coverage units. Throughout his time with the Buccaneers, he accumulated 13 total tackles and 1.5 sacks at the defensive position.
Watts wore jersey number 58 for the Buccaneers and played the linebacker position at the professional level. His consistency on special teams earned him continued opportunities within the defensive rotation and kept him on the active roster through the 2024 season.
Driving Style and Strengths
While Watts is a defensive player rather than a driver, his strengths lie in his ability to cover ground quickly and pursue the ball carrier effectively. His background as a pass-rusher translates to closing speed and tackling ability that he has applied effectively on special teams coverage units throughout his professional career.
Notable Events and Milestones
The highlight of Watts’ early professional career came when he recorded his first career sack during his rookie season. His 1.5 career sacks represent meaningful production for a player whose primary role has been on special teams. The opportunity to contribute defensively while making his mark on coverage units has defined his early NFL journey.
Markees Watts Career Statistics
Watts has appeared in 27 NFL games across three seasons with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. His defensive contributions include tackles and sacks accumulated during his time as a rotational linebacker and special teams player.
NFL Regular Season Statistics
Total Tackles: 13
Sacks: 1.5
Markees Watts Family
Family Background
Limited information is publicly available regarding Markees Watts’ family background. He grew up in Lancaster, South Carolina, where he attended Lancaster High School and developed his football skills before advancing to the collegiate level.
Personal Life
Watts has maintained a private personal life away from the football field. He continues to carry the lessons and work ethic developed during his upbringing in Lancaster as he pursues his professional football career. His journey from a high school standout with 27 sacks to an NFL player reflects his dedication to the sport.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 NFL season marked Watts’ third year with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers organization. Entering the final year of his initial contract with the team, he remained a consistent contributor on special teams while continuing to work toward defensive opportunities. His experience spanning 27 games provided stability to a Buccaneers linebacker corps that valued his reliability and football intelligence.
Watts’ tenure with the Buccaneers came to a conclusion following the 2025 season. The three-year partnership saw him develop from an undrafted rookie into a seasoned NFL player with a defined role on coverage units. His next career chapter would unfold with a new organization beginning in 2026.