Syracuse standout DL Maraad Watson enters transfer portal
Freshman All-American Maraad Watson has entered the transfer portal, 247Sports reported. Jacob Halsema | Staff Photographer
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Freshman All-American Maraad Watson has entered the transfer portal, according to a report by 247Sports. Watson was a standout on SU’s defensive line in his freshman campaign, starting 11 games at defensive tackle.
As a three-star recruit out of Irvington, New Jersey, Watson flipped from Kent State to Syracuse a few weeks after Fran Brown took over as SU’s head coach. He picked up an offer from the Orange on Dec. 6, 2023, and signed his letter of intent two weeks later.
Watson initially chose the Orange over offers from Big Ten and SEC foes Nebraska and Tennessee. In his first year with Syracuse, Watson quickly became a focal point of the interior defensive line. Injuries to Dion Wilson Jr. and Kevin Jobity Jr. opened up a larger role for Watson a few games into the campaign, and he thrived.
“I try not to put too much pressure on myself. All the guys around me all do their job, we’ll all be great players,” Watson told The Daily Orange on Nov. 5. “But I did definitely try to step up in my room, so I would be better for the team.”
The true freshman recorded 31 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss and a sack in his first season, tallying five tackles in Syracuse’s Holiday Bowl win over Washington State. He earned 247Sports Freshman All-American honors.
His move to the transfer portal is the largest loss yet for SU on the defensive side of the ball in the spring window. Watson was set to start beside Wilson Jr. in his return from injury, with Marshall transfer Chris Thomas Jr. also stepping into a larger role. Now, the Orange will need to find production on the interior with Watson moving on.
