Post-OSU Update: Ryan Watts transferred to Texas after the 2021 regular season. Watts received more playing time with the Longhorns, playing 24 games over two seasons. He recorded 63 tackles, 5 TFLs, and an interception across those two years. Watts was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the sixth round (195th overall) of the 2024 NFL Draft. He suffered a neck injury in the final preseason game and the subsequent surgery forced him to miss the season. (updated: Feb. 2025)

Major: Pre-communications (2021)
Weight: 203 (2021), 200 (2020)

2020: Played in seven games as a true freshman for the Big Ten and Sugar Bowl champion Buckeyes … made three tackles – all solo – in a 49-27 win over Rutgers.

2020 Media Guide: One of the country’s best defensive backs; rated as the nation’s No. 17 cornerback by 247Sports … a four-star prospect … member of the ESPN 300 … the No. 21 recruit in the SportsDayHS Class of 2020 rankings.

High School: Named his team’s most valuable player as a senior for Little Elm High School and head coach Kendrick Brown … played both cornerback and wide receiver for the Lobos … member of the MaxPreps Texas Preseason All-State team.

Personal: Is the son of Claire Watts-Cooper and Wayne Cooper.