Mississippi State LB Nathaniel Watson declares for 2024 NFL Draft

Mississippi State linebacker Nathaniel Watson officially declared for the 2024 NFL Draft, he announced on his Twitter page on Wednesday evening. He established himself one of the best linebackers in all of college football, finishing as a Butkus Award Finalist in the 2023 campaign. Watson racked up 137 total tackles, 13 tackles for loss, one interception, and 10 sacks this year.

🙏🏾🫡#hailstate🐶 pic.twitter.com/zHbHgu7zcW

— Nathaniel Watson (@Nathaniel_ATH) November 30, 2023

“It truly has been a long time coming but my time at Mississippi State has come to an end. 6 years ago I came to Mississippi State as a teenager wanting to just play football, but as I leave Mississippi State, I leave as a man with two degrees and a life time of memories. I am so thankful for every person who has made this journey so memorable. I can’t thank my family, my teammates and coaches, and all the trainers for their support and love through everything. All the memories I have made and the lives I have impacted will be something I hold with me forever. I looked forward to the next stage of my life and the journey this will be. Thank you for everything Mississippi State. –Bookie Watson #14”

At the bottom of his graphic he had a message that reads, “Declaring for the Draft.”

In 2022, Watson finished second in the SEC in total tackles with 113. He finished his prolific career with the Bulldogs racking up 379 total tackles, 35 tackles for loss, 21 sacks, seven pass deflections, and two interceptions. Watson became just the fourth player in Mississippi State football history to become a semifinalist for the Butkus Award.

More on the 2024 NFL Draft

The 2024 NFL Draft will be held in Detroit, Michigan, with the first round on Thursday, April 25, the second and third rounds on Friday, April 26, and the fourth through seventh rounds on Saturday, April 27.

Players will have the opportunity to solidify their draft stock at the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine, to be held in Indianapolis, Indiana from February 26 through March 4.

The three-day event will be broadcasted throughout the weekend on ESPN and NFL Network.

To be eligible for the NFL Draft, players must be at least three years removed from their final year of high school while having used up their collegiate eligibility. Underclassmen are able to request league approval to become eligible for the draft, as are players who have graduated prior to using up all of their collegiate eligibility.

Last season, 69 players were granted special eligibility for the 2023 NFL Draft. 13 underclassmen who had completed their college degrees were also deemed eligible to be selected.

The deadline to declare for the 2024 NFL Draft is on January 15. NFL teams will receive a full list of eligible players in the class on January 19.