Mississippi State’s Nathaniel Watson and Lideatrick Griffin have been named to the 2023 Sports Info Solutions (SIS) Preseason All-SEC Team.
Watson, who returns to Starkville for his final season in the Maroon and White, earned his spot on the SIS Preseason All-SEC team as a linebacker. He is coming off a career year that saw him finish with 113 tackles. As one of the anchors to last year’s defense that ranked seventh in team defense in the SEC, Watson finished second in the SEC in total tackles and third in tackles per game (8.69) while also earning six sacks and an interception. Watson has played 45 career games and has racked up 242 tackles and 11 sacks.
Griffin, who earned All-American honors last season by Pro Football Focus, earned his spot on the SIS Preseason All-SEC team as a returner. Griffin racked up 613 kickoff return yards in his junior campaign with one return touchdown. He tied a career-high with 144 return yards and a touchdown in State’s overtime victory over Auburn and also went on to be named the SEC Co-Special Teams Player of the Week. He has earned 1,333 kickoff return yards and two touchdowns in his career. Griffin also lined up at receiver and posted career-highs in receptions (40), receiving yards (502) and receiving touchdowns (4).
