Mississippi State linebacker Nathaniel Watson has accepted his invitation to the 2024 Reese’s Senior Bowl, game officials announced Sunday.

Watson, a Maplesville native, was named SEC Defensive Player of the Year and a third-team All-American by the Associated Press in 2023. He led the conference with 137 tackles and also added 13 tackles for loss and 10 sacks in 12 games for the Bulldogs.

Watson (6-foot-2, 245 pounds) is among several players with in-state ties now committed to play in the 75th anniversary Senior Bowl, which takes place Feb. 3 at Hancock Whitney Stadium in Mobile. Also confirmed for the annual all-star game and NFL draft showcase are Alabama defensive end Justin Eboigbe and kicker Will Reichard, Auburn defensive backs Jaylin Simpson, DJ James and Nehemiah Pritchett, Troy linebacker Javon Solomon, Missouri cornerback Kris Abrams-Draine (a former Spanish Fort High School star), Miami offensive lineman Javion Cohen (a Phenix City native and Alabama transfer) and Ole Miss defensive end Cedric Johnson (a Mobile native).

Watson will be a second-generation Senior Bowler. His great uncle, former Auburn fullback Tommie Agee, played in the 1987 game.

Also Sunday, Oregon State offensive tackle Taliese Fuaga accepted his Senior Bowl invitation. Fuaga (6-6, 334) was a first-team All-America pick by the American Football Coaches Association in 2023.

Other notable players committed to the 2024 Senior Bowl include North Carolina State linebacker (and Butkus Award winner) Payton Wilson, Missouri defensive lineman Darius Robinson, Texas defensive linemen Byron Murphy and (and Outland Trophy winner) T’Vondre Sweat, Texas A&M defensive lineman McKinnley Jackson, Kansas State offensive lineman Cooper Beebe, South Carolina quarterback Spencer Rattler and wide receiver Xavier Legette, North Carolina wide receiver Tez Walker, Tennessee quarterback Joe Milton, Tulane quarterback Michael Pratt, Georgia center Sedrick Van Pran and Iowa punter (and Ray Guy Award winner) Tory Taylor. Players will be continue to be added as game week approaches.

The 2024 Senior Bowl, sponsored for the first time this year by the NFL Players Association, kicks off at noon on Feb. 3. NFL Network will televise the game live.