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Ohio State Football Gets Bad News on Tuesday

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Nicholas McGee | Last updated Apr 22, 2025 5:47 PM ET

The Ohio State Buckeyes got major news on an exciting target in the transfer portal on 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 that represented a failure for the opposing offense.

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.

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 Portalhttps://t.co/RlUbB6EMhS pic.twitter.com/aOXqEWe0V6
— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) April 22, 2025

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

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

The Buckeyes got the better of Texas en route to national championship glory last season but, instead of having Watson on their side in the rematch to open the 2025 season, they'll have to try to ensure his decision does not have a negative impact on their bid to go all the way again.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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