The Texas Longhorns are gearing up for the 2025 college football season with high expectations, and a significant part of their optimism stems from an influx of talented transfers. Among the newcomers is Maraad Watson, a true freshman All-American defensive tackle who recently joined the Longhorns after a standout 2024 season at Syracuse.
Yesterday, an analyst, Travis Galey, made a bold prediction: “If there is one player who can be counted on to be an immediate impact player this year, it’s Maraad Watson.” This statement has sparked intrigue among fans. With Texas aiming to solidify its defensive line and make a deep run in the College Football Playoff, Watson’s potential role as a game-changer is worth a closer look.
Maraad Watson’s Journey to Texas in 2025
Hailing from Irvington, New Jersey, Watson made waves during his high school career at Irvington High School. As a senior, he recorded 72 tackles, including nine for loss, 15 sacks, and a pair of forced fumbles in just seven games, according to Syracuse University Athletics.
These numbers earned him Second Team All-State honors and all-division recognition, cementing his status as a top prospect. Ranked as the No. 24 player in New Jersey by 247Sports, Watson’s combination of size, speed, and instincts made him a coveted recruit.
He initially committed to Syracuse, where he made an immediate impact as a true freshman in 2024. He appeared in all 13 games for the Orange, starting 11, and tallied 31 tackles, including five for loss, and 2.5 sacks.
Despite his youth, his performance earned him 247Sports Freshman All-American honors and a Midseason Freshman All-American nod, highlighting his ability to dominate at the college level.
However, seeking a bigger stage and a program with national championship aspirations, he entered the transfer portal and committed to Texas in early 2025. He joined a Longhorns roster that added 27 transfers for the upcoming season.
Why Analysts See Watson as an Instant Starter
Galey’s confidence in Watson isn’t without merit. The analyst’s prediction hinges on the defensive tackle’s proven track record and the specific needs of the Texas defense. The Longhorns have been strengthening their interior defensive line, which struggled with consistency in 2024 despite the team’s overall success.
Texas finished the 2024 season with a 13-3 record and a College Football Playoff appearance, but allowed an average of 132.1 rushing yards per game, which exposed vulnerabilities against more vigorous opponents.
At 6’3” and 310 pounds, Watson brings a rare blend of size and agility to the defensive tackle position. His ability to clog running lanes and pressure quarterbacks was evident at Syracuse, where he consistently disrupted opposing offenses. In his analysis, Galey noted that Watson is “expected to come in and become an immediate starter at defensive tackle.”
This projection aligns with Texas’s defensive strategy under head coach Steve Sarkisian and defensive coordinator Pete Kwiatkowski, who prioritize a stout front to free up linebackers and create chaos in the backfield.
Moreover, Watson isn’t the only newcomer expected to bolster the interior defensive line. As noted in related discussions on X, another transfer, Brevard, is also projected to play a key role alongside Watson. The duo’s potential to transform Texas’s defensive front is a major reason for the optimism surrounding the team’s 2025 campaign.
“If there is one player who can be counted on to be an immediate impact player this year, it’s Maraad Watson.”
“The true freshman All-American from Syracuse is expected to come in and become an immediate starter at defensive tackle.” – @travisgaley
More Newcomers You Need to… pic.twitter.com/7vP6MUUeqG
— Orangebloods.com (@orangebloods_) June 5, 2025
How Watson Fits into Texas’s Defensive Scheme
Texas’s defensive scheme under Kwiatkowski often employs a 4-2-5 base alignment, emphasizing versatility and disruption. The Longhorns frequently rotate their defensive linemen to keep them fresh, fitting Watson’s high-motor playing style.
At Syracuse, Watson showcased his ability to handle double teams while still making plays. This skill will be crucial against the run-heavy offenses Texas will face in the SEC, including powerhouses like Georgia and Alabama.
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One of Watson’s standout traits is his quick first step, which allows him to penetrate gaps and disrupt plays in the backfield. During his freshman season, he recorded five tackles for loss, which could increase significantly with Texas’s superior talent around him.
The Longhorns also return key pieces like edge rusher Ethan Burke, who led the team with 5.5 sacks in 2024, and linebacker Anthony Hill Jr., a 2024 All-SEC selection. With Watson anchoring the interior, opposing offenses will struggle to focus solely on the edge, creating more opportunities for Texas’s playmakers to shine.
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