Ohio State Football Gets Bad News on Tuesday

The Ohio State Buckeyes got major news on an exciting target in the transfer portal Tuesday, and it was unfortunately not what they wanted to hear.

Ohio State had been one of several teams reported as being “heavily in the mix” for Syracuse defensive lineman Maraad Watson, who entered the transfer portal after a Freshman All-American season in 2024.

Watson recorded 31 tackles and one sack last season. Per Pro Football Focus, he registered 10 pressures and had 13 run stops against opposing offenses.

But, rather than heading to Ohio State, he will now look to build on that promising season with the Texas Longhorns.

Indeed, On3’s Hayes Fawcett reported Watson has committed to transfer to the Longhorns, picking them over the Buckeyes, the Georgia Bulldogs and the Tennessee Volunteers.

Watson going with Texas over the Buckeyes might be viewed as something of a surprise considering Ohio State’s success in developing defensive line talent under legendary position coach Larry Johnson.

But last year, the Longhorns had two defensive linemen taken in the top 40 of the NFL Draft with Byron Murphy II and T’Vondre Sweat.

Former Longhorns Alfred Collins, Barryn Sorrell, and Vernon Broughton are all likely to be drafted this week as well.

The Buckeyes got the better of Texas en route to national championship glory last season. Instead of having Watson on their side in the rematch to open the 2025 season, though, the Buckeyes will have to try and block him during Week 1.

BREAKING: Syracuse standout transfer DL Maraad Watson has Committed to Texas, @on3sports has learned

Totaled 31 Tackles and 1 Sack last season

Was one of the Top Available DL in the Portal

But patience will be rewarded. The run of Ohio State players will likely begin late in the first round, and the second and third rounds on April 25 should feature a flood of Buckeyes. By the time the seventh round concludes April 26, 15 Ohio State players are expected to be taken.