The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
Ryan Watts drafted by Pittsburgh Steelers
04.27.2024 | Football
Texas DB Ryan Watts was selected in the sixth round with the 195th overall pick.
DETROIT – Texas defensive back Ryan Watts was selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers with the 195th overall pick in the sixth round of the 2024 NFL Draft on Saturday.
Watts is the 10th Longhorn selected in the 2024 NFL Draft, the most-ever for Texas through the first six rounds of the NFL Draft. He is the first Texas defensive back drafted since Caden Sterns was selected by the Denver Broncos in the fifth round in 2021. Watts is the 18th Texas player drafted by the Steelers in program history and the first since cornerback Curtis Brown was picked in the third round of the 2011 NFL Draft.
"The Pittsburgh Steelers have long been known for their physical defense and they made a great choice in Ryan Watts as a player to help carry on that tradition," said Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian. "He is a long, big, physical corner who did great things for us. He's a guy we played into the boundary and really put him one-on-one with a lot of teams' best receivers there. He's also a physical player in the run game who has pass rushing ability, blitzing from the corner spot. He's very effective in the run game, as well as pressuring the quarterback, combined with having the length to force people to make contested catches in the passing game. Those are all attributes that are going to translate well to the NFL. Any time you've got the size, speed and skills that he possesses, there's always going to be a market for that guy at the second level. The Steelers got them a great player who is all about being a great teammate who will give everything he has to help the team win. I know Coach Tomlin and everyone in Pittsburg will love Ryan and I'm excited to see him in the NFL. He has a bright future as a player and is a tremendous person as well."
Watts, a two-year defensive back, appeared in 24 games with 23 starts during his career on the Forty Acres. The Little Elm, Texas native totaled 89 tackles (63 solo) with five tackles for loss, one sack, seven pass breakups and one interception with the Longhorns. In 2022, he was an honorable mention All-Big 12 selection by the league's coaches and earned honorable mention All-Big 12 Defensive Newcomer Player of the Year accolades.
As a senior last season, Watts played in 11 games with 10 starts, recording 38 tackles (30 solo), one tackle for loss and three passes defended. He had four-plus tackles in six games, including eight (seven solo) in the victory over Kansas State. During his first season in Austin in 2022, he played in and started all 13 games, totaling 51 tackles (33 solo), four tackles for loss, one sack, one interception, one quarterback hurry and three pass breakups.
WHAT THEY'RE SAYING
On being drafted by Pittsburgh:
It's amazing to be picked by one of those "football heaven" teams. Playing for the gold and black, it's really a blessing with all the defensive players and defensive backs they've had in their history. That history is incredible, and I'm blessed to be a part of the organization.
On when the phone rang with the area code:
I was so excited. I was in the backyard getting fresh air, and I jumped up and saw the Pittsburgh area code, so I automatically knew who it was, and I was just extremely excited. I ran back inside to be able to talk to the coaches and they had me talk to everybody, and I felt a relief. I feel like I'm at home and that it's where I should be. I feel like it's a perfect fit for me playing for the Steelers.
On the reaction from his family:
I was by myself outside, and I ran in, and was quite at first, and then they knew I was on the phone, and they started getting loud, especially when they heard Coach Tomlin on the phone, they really got loud. It was a surreal moment, and you see it on TV, but being in the moment is a whole other feeling, and I'm just really blessed. I can't thank God enough for this opportunity.
On how he felt seeing his family react:
I feel like meant everything. My brother is the one who put me in football in the first place. Hearing him crying, then I started crying, because it's really just different when you do this all your life and it's a dream all your life, and when you're finally in the moment, it's a whole different feeling. I don't know how to put it into words, but I feel like no matter how God places you in life, you just have to go out and be your best self. To be able to be that best self for me and my family, it meant a lot.
On the production of Texas in this year's draft:
It's a blessed feeling. That's why I came back to Texas. I knew Coach Sark was doing something different and it just being the beginning process of this change. Being a part of it and being remembered as the class that starting the change, I know they're going to be even better next year, especially the defensive back room. It started with me being where I'm at, and next year we're going to have day one, day twos, and the years and yeas over, because those young guys are talented. I feel like this team is just going to continue growing, and Texas is going to be a spot that everyone wants to join.
On how prepared he feels coming out of Texas:
I feel like I'm extremely prepared. Coming from a program like Texas, going against first round receivers, just top talent at Texas all across the board. I feel like I've seen it all my college career, just being able to be consistent and improving on my game, I just keep it inside me that I know I made it here, but I haven't made it yet, so just having that dog continuing wanting to be my best self.
On the DBU tradition:
It feel great to be part of that. I feel like Texas DBU is the best. I'm trying to keep us going up the mountain, but the next DBs are going to set the standard even more by being those day one, day two picks and continue on getting drafted. They're going to continue making Texas DBU even greater.
On thanks to his teammates and coaches:
I'm extremely thankful to Coach Sark and Coach Joseph for taking me in as a transfer. They didn't have to, but they took me in as a sophomore transfer and had the belief to let me compete for a spot and let me play my game. I'm thankful for team for letting me be one with them and join the brotherhood, and them taking me in. I feel like I made a lot of lifelong friends while I was at Texas, and I'm extremely grateful to be able to do that and be in the state of Texas.
On a message to Longhorn nation:
Longhorn nation, I appreciate you guys for accepting me, and this is really just the start of Texas, and it's going to get better and better from here. The team's going to keep jumping over the bar, and the standard is going to be really high.
ON SOCIAL MEDIA
Ryan Watts is a Steeler! 🤘@TheRyanWatts x @Steelers x #NFLDraft pic.twitter.com/s1630S8WQA
— Texas Football (@TexasFootball) April 27, 2024
ATX 🤝 PIT #NFLDraft pic.twitter.com/HlLgtsq2ep
— Texas Football (@TexasFootball) April 27, 2024
ATX 🤝 PIT #NFLDraft pic.twitter.com/HlLgtsq2ep
— Texas Football (@TexasFootball) April 27, 2024
A call to remember 🤘@TheRyanWatts x @steelers x #NFLDraft pic.twitter.com/OuDcvC4ZCY
— Texas Football (@TexasFootball) April 27, 2024
