Former OSU CB Ryan Watts continues to call Michigan as 'The Team Up North' at Texas

colin gay, the columbus dispatch

Tue, Nov 8, 2022, 4:07 PM·2 min read

Ryan Watts is no longer with the Ohio State football program. But some habits never change.

During an interview Monday, the Texas Longhorns cornerback and Buckeye transfer continued to refer to Michigan as "The Team Up North."

Immense respect to Longhorns DB and Ohio State transfer Ryan Watts for referencing the Buckeyes rival as “That Team Up North.” pic.twitter.com/5dZqCYQz04
— Noah Gross (@noah_gross27) November 7, 2022

The former 2020 four-star cornerback out of Little Elm, Texas initially chose the Buckeyes over programs like Texas and Oklahoma, joining a class that included four-star cornerback Lejond Cavazos, who transferred to North Carolina.

In 10 games for the Buckeyes, Watts recorded 11 tackles and two interceptions against Minnesota and Rutgers in 2022, but announced his intention to transfer Dec. 10.

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"Columbus, Ohio is a long way from my hometown in Texas, and being away from my family could have been a rough time for me," Watts said in his transfer statement. "I am so grateful to the city and the community here because that was never the case. I was welcomed, taken in, and have grown tremendously with your support."

In his first season with Texas, Watts has 37 tackles, two tackles-for-loss, an interception and three pass deflections.

Texas defensive back Ryan Watts (6) intercepts a pass intended for Oklahoma State wide receiver Stephon Johnson Jr. (6) in the end zone during the second quarter of an NCAA college football game in Stillwater, Okla, Saturday, Oct. 22, 2022. (Ian Maule/Tulsa World via AP)

Texas is set to host TCU, one of four remaining undefeated teams in college football along with Ohio State, Michigan and Georgia, at 7:30 p.m. Saturday.