Ryan Watts announces transfer to the Texas Longhorns

Former Ohio State cornerback Ryan Watts of Little Elm, Texas, has been one of the most coveted transfers since entering the portal.

The 6-foot-3, 200-pound defensive back with an 82-inch wingspan entered the portal on Dec. 10. Since that time, he has been contacted by over 30 programs. 

Watts fielded calls from Texas, Baylor, LSU, Boston College and others. Programs such as Ole Miss, Texas Tech and USC also reached out. 

When it came down to decision time, the former four-star recruit came down to Texas and Baylor. Watts announced Wednesday that he would be playing for the Longhorns. 

“I just felt I really liked the coaching staff,” Watts told On3. “I had long conversations with them and with my family.”

A relationship from Watts recruitment in high school paid dividends for the Longhorns. 

“I have a good relationship with Coach (Terry) Joseph,” Watts said. “He recruited me at Notre Dame. I took an OV (official visit) there. He coaches people to what their strengths are. He’s not going to coach every player the same.” 

The former top-200 ranked prospect in the 2020 class becomes the second former Ohio State player to transfer to Texas. On3 Consensus No. 1 overall in the 2021 class Quinn Ewers announced his decision to transfer to Texas on Dec. 12. 

Watts is set to enroll at Texas in January and go through spring practice. He will be one of 11 newcomers to the program on Jan. 13. Nine of those members will come from Texas’ No. 5 ranked recruiting class signed last week.

Spring enrollees for Texas

Quinn Ewers, QB, South Lake (Texas) Carroll

*Ohio State transfer

Ryan Watts, CB, Little Elm (Texas) Little Elm

*Ohio State transfer

Terrance Brooks, CB, Little Elm (Texas) Little Elm

On3 Consensus: No. 42

Bryan Allen Jr., S, Aledo (Texas) Aledo

On3 Consensus No. 123

Jaylon Guilbeau, CB/N, Port Arthur (Texas) Memorial

On3 Consensus No. 149

Cole Hutson, IOL, Frisco (Texas) Frisco

On3 Consensus No. 356

Aaron Bryant, DL, Southaven (Miss.) Southaven

On3 Consensus No. 300

Jaray Bledsoe, DL, Marlin (Texas) Marlin

On3 Consensus No. 113

Justice Finkley, EDGE, Trussville (Ala.) Hewitt-Trussville

On3 Consensus No. 154

Jaydon Blue, RB, Klein (Texas) Cain

On3 Consensus No. 178

Maalik Murphy, QB, Gardena (Calif.) Junipero Serra

On3 Consensus: No. 192

On3 Consensus No. 192