SEC football player Nathaniel Watson arrested on suspicion of DUI charge

Mississippi State linebacker and the second-best tackler in the SEC a year ago Nathaniel Watson was arrested over the weekend for suspicion of driving under the influence, according to records at the Oktibbeha Co. (Miss.) Sheriff's Office.

Watson recorded 113 total tackles a year ago for the Bulldogs, finishing in second-place among all SEC defenders during the 2023 college football season, behind only Jett Johnson, his teammate at MSU, also a linebacker.

"We are aware of the matter and are continuing to gather information," Mississippi State first-year football coach Zach Arnett said in a statement. "We do not have further comment at this time."

This marks the second time that Watson has been arrested during his football career at Mississippi State. Not long after signing his national letter of intent to the school back in 2018, the Alabama native was charged with felony assault and other traffic violations after a street racing incident.

After appearing in two games his first season, Watson earned starting snaps during the 2021 campaign and last year played in all 13 games, adding six sacks, finishing top-10 in the SEC in that category, recorded 12 tackles for loss, intercepting one pass, and breaking up another for the Bulldogs' improved overall defense.

Watson decided to return to Mississippi State in 2023 for what will be his sixth season and enjoy his final year of collegiate eligibility, joining Johnson in what should be one of the more productive linebacker duos in the SEC this coming year.

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