On3's preseason all-transfer portal team features a Longhorn you might've forgotten

On3's annual preseason all-transfer portal team was released this morning, and one of Texas' most intriguing yet under-the-radar portal additions for 2025 was included: DT Maraad Watson.

Everybody knows about and has seen the hype revolving around newly acquired defensive tackles Cole Brevard, Travis Shaw, Hero Kanu, and even LaVon Johnson. Who hasn't been discussed enough is freshman All-American and former Syracuse DT Maraad Watson. To be fair, he didn't arrive in Austin until the summer so he was a tad "behind" in terms of learning the playbook and working in with the defense.

After officially practicing for a few weeks now, Texas' coaching staff and media has begun to see why he was ranked as one of the top defensive tackle transfers in the 2025 class. He has the strength and power to be effective as a nose tackle, but also has the speed and "wiggle" to contribute at 3-technique for DC Pete Kwiatkowski.

It was apparent that when he finally made it to campus this summer, the staff was doing everything they could to get him caught up with the rest of the group.

Guys with the athletic ability of Watson don't come around often, and Texas has definitely realized that.

Watson finished the 2024 season with 31 tackles, 2 TFL, 1 sack, and 1 pass deflection as a true freshman at Syracuse. He undoubtedly impressed the national media, and a few outlets couldn't stop raving about him over the second half of his freshman year.

247Sports national analyst Cooper Petagna had this to say about Watson transferring to Texas:

"Maraad Watson was one of the most impactful freshman in the ACC. From Syracuse to Texas. You think about Texas and what they're losing. They lose Alfred Collins, they lose Vernon Broughton, they lose Barryn Sorrell. They need some beef. Only Texas could go out and get five quality interior defensive linemen. And Maraad Watson is the best combination of skill, upside and multiyear eligibility. And he can help you today. So I love what he can do. You can play him at the nose, you can flex him out, you can put him as a four technique, you can play him as a five technique. He can do a little bit of everything. 6-3, 315 pounds, big, nimble, strong. Looking forward to seeing what he's going to look like in Austin."

Needless to say, Watson could be incredibly productive for the Longhorns in 2025 and beyond. His ability to play multiple interior defensive line positions could be crucial for Texas' defensive tackle rotation this year as well.