Two Mississippi State Linebackers Will Always be Mentioned Together

Jacob Bain | Mar 27, 2024

Arizona v Mississippi State Justin Ford/GettyImages / Justin Ford/GettyImages

STARKVILLE, Miss. — The Mississippi State Bulldogs held their pro day on Tuesday, and two guys who participated will always be mentioned together. Nathaniel Watson and Jett Johnson were standout linebackers at Mississippi State, and their stories are similar.

Watson sat behind former Bulldog great Erroll Thompson during the 2020 season, but in the final home game of the season, Thompson was ejected for targeting, and fans got their first real look at "Bookie." The Alabama native racked up 14 tackles, including one for a loss, and set the table for his breakout season the following year.

Johnson had a similar path as he sat behind Aaron Brule in 2020, who looked to be the next star linebacker for Mississippi State. The Tupelo native appeared in five games that season and only posted three tackles.

"I think it is a testament to our character…. not getting that immediate gratification and not going to chase money," Johnson said. "It turned us into best friends."

Going into the second year of the Mike Leach era at Mississippi State, it seemed like Watson and Brule would lead a young, talented defense. Watson started on opening day in their comeback win over Louisiana Tech, but Johnson was still coming off the bench.

However, North Carolina State would come to Starkville in week two, and that is where Johnson had his breakthrough performance. He notched nine tackles, forced a fumble, and broke up a pass. On that day, a star linebacker duo was born; the pair would be the top two tacklers for the Bulldogs for the next two years.

Going into the 2022 season, there was a lot of pressure on both guys to perform and exceed what they had done the previous year, and they delivered. They finished with 113 tackles (Watson) and 115 (Johnson), and they finished first and second in the SEC in tackles, the only duo in college football to do that in their conference.

They helped lead the Bulldogs to nine wins that season and combined for 20 tackles and three tackles for the loss in the Egg Bowl as they dominated Lane Kiffin's explosive offense. Tragedy stuck shortly after the game as Leach tragically passed away.

With all the uncertainty surrounding the Bulldog football program at the time, it would have been easy to hit the transfer portal or declare for the NFL draft. However, both guys decided to return for their final season of eligibility and play for new coach Zach Arnett.

"Me him and Crum (Jaden Crumedy), we all stuck through and just wanted to finish the job here," Watson said.

Once again, the duo just produced neither guy is flashy, but there is never a play where both guys are not right around the ball. They each surpassed their tackle numbers from the year before with 130 (Johnson) and 137 (Watson).

It was a disappointing season as they finished 5-7, and Arnett was fired mid-season. In their last home game, they combined for 34 tackles and held the Rebels to 17 points.

Neither guy is an athletic freak, but they always played hard and the right way, which gives them both a spot in Mississippi State lore. They are the best duo of Bulldog linebackers ever, and that is why someone can never bring up one without mentioning the other.

"I like to be associated with guys like that," Johnson said.