WASHINGTON (November 20, 2025) - When redshirt freshman Zuri Watson was recruited out of high school in Petersburg, Fla., for football, he had several offers.
 
Among those offers were Wofford, Boston College, Toledo and Eastern Kentucky.
 
As it would turn out, Howard University entered the picture due to an assist from one of the members of the Bison coaching staff.
 
"Coach Lindsey Lamar approached me and made a strong pitch," Watson recalled. "I knew a little bit about Howard because I had some friends who were there."
 
Still, the other schools made strong pitches.
 
"It's hard to explain, but once I visited the campus, I got this feeling that this was right for me. It felt genuine, especially like the brotherhood aspect."
 
That was 2024 and Howard made the decision to redshirt Watson.
 
Watson says that he spent the time studying and learning what it would take to make the transition from high school to college football.
 
"I definitely put in the work," he noted. "I wanted to be ready once the time came for me."
 
He was coming to a defense that had been among the nation's finest in pass defense over the past two years, so the expectations were high.
 
So, the redshirt freshman was entered into the lineup and the rest is history. The 6-foot, 190-pound defensive back has started every game of the season, rare for a first year playing in todays' athletics that puts a premium on age and experience, courtesy of the transfer rule.
 
Headed into the last game of the season, Watson has emerged as one of the up-and-coming young defensive backs in HBCUs.
 
On the season, Watson has 30 total tackles (21 solos), two tackles for losses, an interception and a team-high eight pass breakups.
 
His season was validated when he was recently named to the semifinal round of the Aeneas Williams award, presented to the top defensive back in HBCUs. He was among eight players selected as a semifinalists of the award.
 
Williams was an outstanding defensive back at Southern University and went on to have an outstanding NFL career. He played 14 seasons in the NFL (National Football League) and established himself as one of the all-time best, collecting 55 interceptions during his productive career.

The award was established in 2022 to honor the nation's top HBCU Division I defensive back, recognizing on-field performance, athletic ability and character. It was first presented in February 2023. The winners to date have been Khalil Baker – North Carolina Central (2022), Kenny Gallop Jr. – Howard University (2023) and James Burgess – Alabama State University (2024).
 
Watson admits that he knows little about Williams, but the thought of even being considered for the award brings a special feeling.
 
"This is not something I really expected," he said. "Just to be considered and make it to the semifinals is a big deal."
 
What makes it even more special is that Watson is the only freshman among the semifinalists.
 
For those who follow the sport of football, it is a consensus that the cornerback position ranks among the most difficulty to play: if you make a play, you were supposed to but it you give up a big play, it is magnified.
 
"One of the things that I have learned is that you are not going to make every single play," philosophizes Watson. "You have to look at it as a war where you lose some battles and you win some. The key is that mentally you have to be able to always be ready to make a play. Self-confidence is definite a key. I am learning that."
 
In the recent game against Delaware State, there was a play that probably defined Watson and how he has evolved over the course of the season.
 
It was a one-on-one between Watson and the Hornets best receiver. The receiver appeared to be open for a big third down catch. But Watson made a last-second break on the ball and denied the play, forcing the Delaware State to punt.
 
As Watson prepares to close out the season against Norfolk State Saturday (Nov. 22), he is focused on the offseason and working hard to improve. He also has his plans for the future.
 
"When I first came here, I selected computer science as my major," he recalls. "But that changed and now I have chosen sports management as a major. When this is over, I want to continue a career in sports and athletics, maybe as a coach one day."
 
Reflecting on the year and putting it all in the proper perspective, Watson pauses and responds, "To have this experience, it has helped me grow a lot in many different areas. There is no doubt that I made the right decision."
 
For more information, visit the Bison Athletics website at www.HUBison.com.