Kentucky had a lot of snaps and production to replace at linebacker this season. The program decided to bet on continuity but used the transfer portal to address depth at this position. Landyn Watson is now primed to play a major role on this defense in 2025. After beginning his career at TCU, Watson transferred […]
Kentucky had a lot of snaps and production to replace at linebacker this season. The program decided to bet on continuity but used the transfer portal to address depth at this position. Landyn Watson is now primed to play a major role on this defense in 2025.
After beginning his career at TCU, Watson transferred to Marshall in 2023 and became a full-time starter for the Sun Belt champs in 2024. That production as a redshirt junior led to an opportunity to play a role in an SEC defense in 2025. The redshirt senior brings great size (6-1, 242) to the table but his versatility could become a valuable asset for defensive coordinator Brad White this season.
“You watch him, and coming from Marshall, that’s really good competition I really think. That league, that conference (Sun Belt) has a lot of really talented players. And then they gotta play a team like Ohio State last year in Ohio State. So when you turn on the tape, you gotta see him making plays against high-level competition and he was big and he was strong. And for as big as he — and some would say, ‘oh man, he’s like a thumper’ — he’s light on his feet. He can make guys miss in pass rush,” White explained on Thursday. “He’s gotta natural wiggle to him. He’s really bright, he’s conscientious, he cares. So we’re really excited to see him continue to build in this defense. Everyday he just gets more comfortable and more confident.”
Landyn Watson was limited during Kentucky’s spring practice as he recovered from an unspecified injury suffered at the end of last season, but during fall camp, the linebacker has acclimated quickly to Kentucky’s scheme. Watson is earning playing time.
“He picked up the defense real quick He’s making a lot of plays out here in camp,” Kentucky linebacker Alex Afari Jr. said about Watson. “He’s looking real good. He’s going to be a real nice piece to our defense.”
Where could that value be felt the most? It could be in pass rush. Landyn Watson was recruited to TCU as an EDGE before transitioning to off-ball linebacker at Marshall. That background showed up some last season when Watson recorded eight pressures in 43 pass-rushing snaps, according to PFF data. Watson occasionally lined up on the edge and showed some potential as a blitzer. That could help enhance a rebuilt Kentucky rush that has added more athleticism and quickness to the defensive front this year.
“I definitely bring a lot of versatility to the defense. I started my career at TCU as a defensive end. All high school playing defensive end,” Watson told KSR. “Me making a transition to linebacker in the middle of college — I thought it would be great to add more versatility to my game being able to stop the run. Being able to rush. Being able to cover. Just being able to do anything the coach asked me on the field.”
The two-time transfer is not currently in the starting eleven but he is expected to fill a big role on this defense. Watson’s size and versatility clearly stand out.
Luckett’s Scouting Notebook: Landyn Watson
Over at KSR+, I put together scouting write-ups on each of Kentucky’s transfer additions from the offseason after watching film and collecting data. This is my breakdown of Landyn Watson.
After beginning his career at TCU, the former top-500 recruit transferred to Marshall and became a full-time starter in 2024. The Metro Austin native recorded 69 tackles and four tackles for loss for the Sun Belt champs. Watson is a big off-ball linebacker who moves well and is productive in run support. The free agent addition gives UK some much-needed size at off-ball linebacker and run game production. Effective pass rusher.
Tackling efficiency (17.7% missed tackle rate) and durability are two worry areas entering the 2025 campaign. Watson did not received extended playing time until his fourth year in college football. Projects to play Mike linebacker at Kentucky.
Luckett’s Scouting Notebook: What Kentucky added to roster via the transfer portal
Category: General Sports
