Ryan Watts (American football)

Ryan Watts
No. 29 – Pittsburgh Steelers
Position:Cornerback
Personal information
Born: (2001-11-07) November 7, 2001 (age 23)
Little Elm, Texas, U.S.
Height:6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
Weight:212 lb (96 kg)
Career information
High school:Little Elm (TX)
College:
NFL draft:2024 / round: 6 / pick: 195
Career history
Roster status:Injured reserve
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Ryan Watts (born November 7, 2001) is an American professional football cornerback for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Ohio State and Texas.

Early life

Watts hometown is Little Elm, Texas, and he attended Little Elm High School. Watts was ranked as the number 29 cornerback and number 341 overall prospect in the country by 247Sports.[1] Watts committed to play college football at the Ohio State.[2][3]

College career

Ohio State

As a freshman in 2020, Watts recorded five tackles in three games.[4] In week five of the 2021 season, he recorded his first career interception in a win over Rutgers.[5] In the following week, Watts would record another interception, as he helped the Buckeyes beat Maryland.[6][7] He finished the 2021 season with six tackles and two interceptions.[8] After the conclusion of the 2021 season, Watts decided to enter the transfer portal.[8][9]

Texas

Watts transferred to Texas to continue his college career.[10][11] In week eight of the 2022 season, he recorded his first interception as a Longhorn, but Texas lost to Oklahoma State.[12][13] Watts finished the 2022 season with 51 tackles with four going for a loss, a sack, three pass deflections, and an interception.[14] For his performance, he was named an all-Big 12 honorable mention.[15]

Professional career

Pre-draft measurables
Height Weight Arm length Hand span 40-yard dash 10-yard split 20-yard split 20-yard shuttle Three-cone drill Vertical jump Broad jump Bench press
6 ft 2+7⁄8 in
(1.90 m) 		208 lb
(94 kg) 		34+1⁄2 in
(0.88 m) 		9+3⁄8 in
(0.24 m)		 4.53 s 1.55 s 2.66 s 4.13 s 6.82 s 40.5 in
(1.03 m)		 11 ft 1 in
(3.38 m)		 10 reps
All values from NFL Combine/Pro Day[16][17]

Watts was selected with the 195th overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft by the Pittsburgh Steelers.[18] He was placed on injured reserve on August 27, 2024.[19]

References

  1. ^ Holland, EJ (April 21, 2019). "Four-star Little Elm CB Ryan Watts commits to Oklahoma". The Dallas Morning News. Retrieved August 27, 2023.
  2. ^ Wells, Adam. "4-Star CB Ryan Watts Commits to Ohio State After Oklahoma Decommitment". Bleacher Report. Retrieved August 27, 2023.
  3. ^ Means, Stephen (October 13, 2019). "Ryan Watts, 4-star 2020 cornerback, commits to Ohio State football: Buckeyes recruiting". Cleveland.com. Retrieved August 27, 2023.
  4. ^ "Ryan Watts 2020 Game Log". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved August 27, 2023.
  5. ^ Gulick, Brendan (October 2, 2021). "Ohio State Obliterates Rutgers For Third Straight Win". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved August 27, 2023.
  6. ^ "Maryland 17-66 Ohio State (Oct 9, 2021) Box Score". ESPN. Retrieved August 27, 2023.
  7. ^ Marotta, Eddie (October 9, 2021). "Live Updates: No. 7 Ohio State Buckeyes vs. Maryland Terrapins". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved August 27, 2023.
  8. ^ a b Baird, Nathan (December 11, 2021). "Ohio State football's Ryan Watts enters transfer portal after two seasons with Buckeyes". Cleveland.com. Retrieved August 27, 2023.
  9. ^ Lind, Andrew (December 10, 2021). "Ohio State Cornerback Ryan Watts Enters Name Into Transfer Portal". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved August 27, 2023.
  10. ^ Lind, Andrew (December 22, 2021). "Former Ohio State Cornerback Ryan Watts Transferring To Texas". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved August 27, 2023.
  11. ^ Estes, Taylor (December 22, 2021). "Texas lands commitment from Ohio State transfer CB Ryan Watts". 247Sports. Retrieved August 27, 2023.
  12. ^ Jeyarajah, Shehan (October 23, 2022). "Oklahoma State vs. Texas score, takeaways: Quinn Ewers struggles as No. 11 Cowboys outlast No. 20 Longhorns". CBS Sports. Retrieved August 27, 2023.
  13. ^ Dimmitt, Zach (October 22, 2022). "Live In-Game Updates: FINAL: Oklahoma State 41, Texas 34". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved August 27, 2023.
  14. ^ "Ryan Watts 2022 Game Log". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved August 27, 2023.
  15. ^ Wells, Justin (August 24, 2023). "Texas Football nets 12 on the 2023 Senior Bowl Watch List". On3.com. Retrieved August 27, 2023.
  16. ^ "Ryan Watts Draft and Combine Prospect Profile". NFL.com. Retrieved March 26, 2024.
  17. ^ "2024 NFL Draft Scout Ryan Watts College Football Profile". DraftScout.com. Retrieved March 26, 2024.
  18. ^ Galatzan, Matt (April 27, 2024). "Pittsburgh Steelers Pick Longhorns DB Ryan Watts With 195th Pick in NFL Draft". SI.com. Retrieved May 25, 2024.
  19. ^ Varley, Teresa (August 27, 2024). "Steelers trim 2024 roster to 53 players". Steelers.com.