William "Pop" Watson III

Position:
Quarterback
Height:
5-11
Weight:
200
Class:
Redshirt Junior
Hometown:
Springfield, Mass.
High School:
Springfield Central
Prev School:
Virginia Tech

Before Massachusetts

Competed at Virginia Tech for the past three seasons, seeing action in 11 games.
Went 36-for-63 for 558 passing yards with one touchdown.
Also rushed for 81 yards on 54 attempts with two touchdowns.
In the 2025 season, completed 2-of-4 passes for 77 yards, adding 22 rushing yards with a rushing touchdown in limited action.
Made two starts in five appearances in 2024.
Completed 34 passes for 481 yards with a touchdown
Had a career-long 66-yard pass
Rushed for 19 yards on 40 attempts with a career-long 15-yard run
Scored one rushing touchdown during the season
Made first career start vs. Virginia (11/30), completing 14 passes for 254 yards and a touchdown
Started as quarterback in the Duke's Mayo Bowl vs. Minnesota (1/3).
Played in two games and rushed five times for 40 yards as a rookie.
Attended Springfield Central High School in Massachusetts
Named 2022 Gatorade Massachusetts Player of the Year
A three-year captain
Represented Springfield Central in the 2022 U.S. Army All-American Bowl
Led the Eagles to a 33-6 record and two Massachusetts Intercollegiate Athletics Association (MIAA) Division I State Championship (2019, 2021) and three finals appearances.
Graduated as Springfield Central's all-time passing leaders, having completed 459-of-691 career passes fro 7,847 career passing yards (66.4 percent) and 81 career touchdowns.
Attempted 190 career carries, totaling 2,1120 career rushing yards and 40 career rushing touchdowns.
A four-year All-State, All-Region (Western Mass) and All-Conference honoree
As a 2022 senior, aided the Eagles to average more than 50 points per game, throwing 17 touchdown passes while rushing for 21 scores.
Led the team to a runner-up finish in the MIAA Division I State tournament
Named the MaxPreps Massachusetts High School Football Player of the Year as a junior.