Landyn Watson (UK Athletics Photo)
Former Marshall linebacker Landyn Watson had no prior connections to Kentucky defensive coordinator Brad White but he did know a lot about Kentucky football.
“I am a guy who watches ball no matter what teams are playing. I watched a couple of games this year and could see how the Kentucky defense plays and how I fit into that with me being so close to them just two hours away right down the road,” said Watson.
The 6-1, 235-pound Watson had 66 tackles and one interception last season for Marshall after transferring from TCU where he played in only three games in two seasons.
Even though UK went 4-8 last season, Watson didn’t need long to know UK was the right place for him.
“On my visit they showed me great hospitality from all the coaching staff. Everybody was so nice,” Watson, a four-star recruit after his prep career in Texas, said. “I know about the development of the linebackers Kentucky has produced. And the Kentucky fanbase is just ridiculous. They had everything I was looking for. I did not want to mess up on an opportunity with a school that really wanted me and let other linebackers commit before me.”
He signed with TCU over offers from LSU, Notre Dame, Tennessee, Michigan State, Penn State and many others. He liked TCU coach Gary Patterson but he got fired after Watson’s redshirt season. He thought of transferring them but “wanted to give it another chance” only to see the defensive scheme change that shifted him to linebacker.
When he decided to transfer, he found better opportunities and certainly thrived at Marshall.
“I definitely think I can become a better linebacker with (linebackers) coach (Mike) Stoops and coach White along with development from the strength staff,” Watson said. “I am anxious to see what they can do to help me achieve. I want to play in the NFL and think this staff can help me get there.
“I trust the coaching staff. I know this is the longest tenured staff in the SEC. (Mark) Stoops has been here a long time. Coach White has been here a long time. Coach Stoops, my position coach, has been a college head coach. My defensive coordinator was in the NFL. This is a great spot for me.”
Watson says his mentality never changes on the field.
“I play fast and physical. I am hard on myself. I am somebody who is disciplined and wants to make plays,” Watson said. “I have always wanted to play in the SEC. It is called the mini NFL and will let me show on a national stage what I can do.
“I try not to get too caught up in numbers. I feel I could have played a lot better last year. I feel like I left a lot of production on the field that could have made my name even better.”
Watson says he “definitely trusts” coach Mark Stoops to get the program turned back around after last season’s 4-8 finish. He plans to do his part by “showing people I belong” in the SEC.
“I started my college career at a big school, played at Marshall and now I am in the SEC trying to show why I should have been here before,” he said.
He’s confident Kentucky will bring in other talented transfers. He’s already ”working” on Sam Houston State edge rusher Chris Murray, his former teammate at TCU. Murray was first team all-C-USA honors last season after having 34 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks, and two forced fumbles. The 6-3, 255-pounder is ranked as the 13th-best defensive lineman in the portal by On3.
Both Murray and Watson were on the 2022 TCU team that reached the national championship game. The two former teammates both visited Mississippi State together earlier this month before Watson picked UK.
“I’m close with him, so I want him here,” Watson said. “We started out together at TCU and I want us to finish together at Kentucky.”
2 Responses
With Devin Rayner, Josiah Hayes, Darrion Henry Young, JQ Hardaway, DJ Waller, Jordan Lovett, and Ty Bryant we have a good nucleus on the defense. I think we needed a change of culture on the team so I’m happy with who left and who came back. I think Key and Brown peeked early and weren’t as good as advertised I could be wrong but we will see! Brown will struggle to find playing time in a loaded receiving room which is much better than Kentucky. Key won’t get as many targets so his numbers will dip. Both of these guys started as true freshman for Kentucky were they would have rode the pine for most sec schools. Brown will return kickoffs next year and maybe punt return until he fumbles a couple of them. Both will get drafted late 6th or 7th round.
I’m with Terry. I do think the turnover was needed. Really think we had some bad apples in the bunch. Can’t say for sure but maybe this new group coming in with the guys left that really want to wear the blue will bond together and we see a good product on the field.