Week 11's Overnight Sensation: Tre Watson, Tight End

Each Monday during the 2024 Texas A&M football season, we’ll identify a first or second-year Aggie player who delivered an exceptional performance over the weekend and earned the distinction of being the week’s “Overnight Sensation.”

One of many productive transfer additions, Texas A&M tight end Tre Watson had a Senior Night to remember.

Hauling in four receptions for a season-high 67 yards, Watson helped Texas A&M defeat New Mexico State, 38-3, on Saturday night.

It was his second time beating the visiting Aggies in his career.

While at Fresno State, the Bulldogs and NMSU faced off in the 2023 Isleta New Mexico Bowl, with Watson & Co. securing a 37-10 victory.

Following that appearance, Watson entered his name into the transfer portal and saw an opportunity in Aggieland he could not find anywhere else.

"When you look at Texas A&M, you look at the facilities, obviously,” Watson said ahead of the 2024 season. “You look at the conference that this beautiful school plays in, and I honestly just saw a great opportunity for myself in getting to the next level and reaching all my goals.”

The tight end spent three years in California, recording 56 passes for 592 yards, earning recognition from the Mountain West conference as a junior.

But he had bigger aspirations of playing SEC ball.

Through 10 games at A&M, Watson's numbers are not gaudy, but A&M's passing game hasn't been either. The Rio Rancho, NM, native has been productive all season when targeted, as nine of his 12 catches moved the chains.

Three of those came in Saturday night's win as Marcel Reed and the Aggie offense got Watson and Theo Melin Öhrström going. The pair accounted for 178 yards while splitting reps — 40 and 41 snaps, respectively.

"I thought they did a really nice job tonight,” head coach Mike Elko said. "I think it was kind of more a product of how they were playing us that kind of created some openings for them. We were able to get them the ball, and Marcel delivered some really good passes to those guys tonight. So it was good to see."

On the first drive, Watson's 33-yard snag put A&M in position to haul it into the end zone a play later. The tight end had a pair of 14-plus-yard grabs, helping contribute to 356 yards through the air.

Honored pregame under the lights of Kyle Field, the senior has provided an uptick in production to A&M's tight end room.

And hopefully, there will be more in the weeks to come as the Aggies fight their way to Atlanta.

Watson’s stats vs. New Mexico State
Receptions: 4
Targets: 7
Yards: 67
Touchdowns: 0
Average yards per catch: 16.8

Watson’s 2024 stats
Receptions: 8
Targets: 20
Yards: 176
Touchdowns: 1
Average yards per catch: 22