Longhorns are kicking tires on another portal defensive tackle
Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian and his staff have been very proactive in their approach to address needs in the transfer portal and they are continuing that approach as we head towards the end of April.
Previously it was reported by On3’s Hayes Fawcett that Texas had interest in Syracuse defensive tackle Maraad Watson, who recently decided to enter the portal after a standout freshman season.
NEWS: Four schools are heavily in the mix for Syracuse standout transfer DL Maraad Watson, a source tells @on3sports
Texas, Georgia, Ohio State, & Tennessee are the schools to watch for the Freshman All-American
Totaled 31 Tackles and 1 Sack last seasonhttps://t.co/RlUbB6EMhS pic.twitter.com/Ev9RNCvQhj
— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) April 19, 2025
It is now being reported by 247Sports’ Brian Dohn that Watson has setup an official visit to Texas and will be on campus to see the Longhorns on Tuesday.
Texas is set to host a four-star transfer defensive lineman (VIP) @247Sports @HankSouth247 @ChipBrown247 @MikeRoach247 https://t.co/WZE0oPnnek
— BrianDohn247 (@BrianDohn247) April 21, 2025
Per 247Sports, Watson is going to fly to Texas today and will be flying back out tomorrow night after a quick official visit to meet with the coaching staff and see the program. As of now, Texas is the only visit Watson has scheduled, but as always in recruiting that could change quickly. It was previously reported that Georgia, Ohio State, and Tennessee were in the mix as well when it was reported he was entering the portal.
Watson was named a Freshman All-American at Syracuse in 2024 after totaling 31 tackles, one sack, and a one quarterback pressure. If he were to ultimately commit and sign with the Longhorns, he would be the fifth defensive tackle the Longhorns have signed this offseason from the portal to go along with Cole Brevard (Purdue), Travis Shaw (North Carolina), Hero Kanu (Ohio State), and Lavon Johnson (Maryland).