'You're in Texas now': Maraad Watson's size, skill - and personality - gels with Longhorns

Texas defensive lineman Maraad Watson (88) returns a fumble for a touchdown during the game against Mississippi State at Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 31, 2026 in Austin. (Aaron E. Martinez/Austin American-Statesman) A group text including more than 20 high school football coaches in New Jersey began buzzing late last Saturday evening. Shortly after Texas football defensive lineman Maraard Watson rumbled into the Royal-Memorial Stadium end zone for a 61-yard scoop-and-score in Austin, texts fired off from the collection of coaches either currently or formerly connected to Irvington High School in New Jersey. Texas defensive lineman Maraad Watson (88) returns a fumble for a touchdown during the game against Mississippi State at Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 31, 2026 in Austin. (Aaron E. Martinez/Austin American-Statesman) "Every weekend, we're always talking about our kids that are out there playing," Irvington head coach Marco Soto told the American-Statesman this week. "My son, he texted me, 'Maraad scored a touchdown.' I was like, 'What?' So I go to the big group chat and one of the coaches sent the clip. I was driving, I had to pull over, I was kept watching and laughing." GOLDEN:What Texas, Steve Sarkisian has to say about the first CFP rankingsFILM STUDY:Why UT's offensive line and Arch Manning are struggling with sacksWatson is one of a nearly dozen Irvington alumni that's on an FBS roster. But his 61-yard touchdown was more than a highlight for both the defensive tackle and those who know him in his hometown just west of Newark. Watson's score against Mississippi State culminated an 18-month journey, one that began with a warning from Soto. BIG MAN TOUCHDOWN FOR MARAAD WATSON🤘 https://t.co/kiqiDlfxu8- Texas Football (@TexasFootball) November 1, 2026Move to SEC marked major transitionUP NEXTNO. 7 TEXAS VS. NO. 18 MISSOURIWhen/where: 11 a.m. Saturday in Columbia, Mo.TV/radio: ESPN; 1300 AM, 98.1 FM, 105.3 FM (Spanish).Watson strolled with a smile through Irvington High last April after committing to the Longhorns as a transfer player from Syracuse. He had been a second-team All-State selection for the Blue Knights. He was named a Freshman All-American by 247Sports in his lone year at Syracuse. He felt ready to deliver similar success in Austin.Not so fast, said Soto. "About a week after we found out (he was transferring to Texas), he came by our weight room and he was grinning ear-to-ear," Soto recalled. "I told him, 'Things just got a little serious now, man. This isn't Syracuse, New York no more. You're in Texas now. Kids are bred to play football down in Texas. You going to meet some interesting characters in Texas, man.'"(Watson) was always the biggest kid. He was always that big dominant force. I said, 'You might end up being one of the smaller kids around now, man. This is real football. This is real, real football." Oklahoma quarterback John Mateer (10) is sacked by Texas defensive lineman Maraad Watson (88) during the Red River Rivalry game at the Cotton Bowl on Saturday, Oct. 10, 2026 in Dallas, Texas. (Aaron E. Martinez/Austin American-Statesman) Soto's warning proved prescient. Watson shined in his lone season at Syracuse. He started 11 games as a freshman and recorded 31 tackles. He then moved 1,700 miles south to Austin, where he tallied 23 tackles in 2025 with just six starts in 12 games. Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian acknowledged Watson's difficult adjustment to a new home this week. "(Watson) was coming from Syracuse and moving to Texas, moving to Austin, being in our organization. It was new to him." Sarkisian said. "Who he is today is not who he was when he arrived. This guy is an awesome teammate. He's got an infectious personality. He's a fun-loving guy." Watson didn't dispute Sarkisian's assessment. He noted the move from the northeast cold to Texas' heat and humidity provided a significant challenge as did the weekly competition in the nation's best conference. But a shaky 2025 season has been followed by an increasingly encouraging 2026, both for Watson and Texas' defensive line. Texas defensive lineman Maraad Watson (88) returns a fumble for a touchdown during the game against Mississippi State at Darrell K Royal?Texas Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 31, 2026 in Austin. (Aaron E. Martinez/Austin American-Statesman) Team success first, then individual honorsIn each of Texas' eight games this season, Watson started alongside Hero Kanu, a fellow transfer defensive tackle (Kanu came to Texas in 2025 after three years at Ohio State). The two are the foundation of a leading run defense across college football.Texas ranks No. 12 nationally in yards allowed per rush attempt. Just five teams have allowed fewer rushing touchdowns. The Longhorns bottled Ole Miss running back Kewan Lacy, an All-American last season, to 36 yards across 16 carries two weeks ago. Then Mississippi State's Fluff Bothwell (All-SEC name alert) registered 49 yards on 17 carries last week.Watson and Kanu do the dirty work for Texas' defensive front. Watson finally got his shine in the spotlight Saturday, but quickly turned to share the celebration with his teammates after he crossed the goal line. What transpired was an attempted TikTok dance from Texas' defense, an inspired idea foiled by a tired 330-pounder (who Sarkisian noted hit 16.1 miles per hour on his dash to the end zone). Texas Longhorns defensive players and coaches celebrate a fumble returned for a touchdown by defensive lineman Maraad Watson (88) during the game against Mississippi State at Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 31, 2026 in Austin. (Aaron E. Martinez/Austin American-Statesman) Texas didn't pull off its planned post-touchdown dance. It still delighted in Watson finding the end zone. "I was having so much fun (blocking for Watson)," UT linebacker Rasheem Biles said. "I was like, 'He got to score. He has to. My boy got to get in that end zone.' That was a fun moment." Watson's football journey has moved him from Irvington to Syracuse to Austin. His road to date was rife with early frustration in an unfamiliar home. It was also filled with opportunity, said his former coach. "That decision he made to leave Syracuse and go to Texas, you look at it the way things are now, it's a no-brainer," Soto said. "You look at the current climate of college football now and what you can do for yourself, and he had to go take that chance and that opportunity. ... I think it'll end up being the smartest move he's made."Sign up for the Daily Briefing from the Austin American-Statesman. Start your day with the must-read headlines from Austin's most trusted news source.This article originally published at 'You're in Texas now': Maraad Watson's size, skill - and personality - gels with Longhorns.