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Mississippi State

Mississippi State linebacker Bookie Watson tabbed SEC Defensive Player of the Week

Paul Jones Mississippi State Bulldogsby: Paul Jones10/23/23PaulJonesOn3
NCAA Football: Western Michigan at Mississippi State
Oct 7, 2023; Starkville, Mississippi, USA; Western Michigan Broncos wide receiver Anthony Sambucci (5) runs the ball while defended by Mississippi State Bulldogs linebacker Nathaniel Watson (14) during the first quarter at Davis Wade Stadium at Scott Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Bush-USA TODAY Sports

To no surprise, Mississippi State senior linebacker Nathaniel Watson was named the SEC’s Defensive Player of the Week on Monday for his dominant showing in Mississippi State’s 7-3 win at Arkansas.

Against the Razorbacks, Watson tied a season high with 14 tackles and also tied a career high with two sacks. On the season, Watson leads the team with 8.5 tackles for loss, 7.5 sacks, three PBUs and two fumble recoveries. He also owns 71 tackles, which ranks second on the team behind fellow linebacker Jett Johnson, who has 77 tackles.

Overall in the SEC, the Alabama native and sixth-year senior ranks second in the SEC in sacks, first in pressures (20), first in PFF tackle grade (90.0) and fumble recoveries (2). Watson is also credited for missing just one tackle this season, which also ranks tops in the league, and ranks second in the SEC with 10.14 tackles per game.

With two sacks earlier this month in the Western Michigan win Watson has totaled four sacks in his last two outings. With his performance against Arkansas, Watson now has 313 career tackles as a Bulldog.

With his weekly award, Watson is the third Bulldog to collect SEC Player of the Week honors this season. Earlier winners of the award include freshman kicker Kyle Ferrie (Southeastern Louisiana game) and linebacker Jett Johnson (Arizona game).

Watson and the Bulldogs continue SEC play this weekend with a trip to Auburn for a 2:30 p.m. kickoff on Saturday.

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