Dekoda Watson

Dekoda Watson (born March 3, 1988) is an American football linebacker for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Buccaneers in the seventh round of the 2010 NFL Draft. He played college football at Florida State.

Early years
Watson attended South Aiken High School in Aiken, South Carolina, where he recorded 123 tackles, 32 tackles for loss and 11 sacks as a senior, earning him all-state honors by SCVarsity.com and all-southern team by the Orlando Sentinel. In his junior season, he registered 102 tackles, 29 tackles for loss and 18 sacks from the defensive end position. Watson was named Defensive MVP after recording nine tackles and a sack for the South Carolina team in the annual North Carolina-South Carolina Shrine Bowl.

Considered a three-star recruit by Rivals.com, Watson was listed as the No. 25 outside linebacker in the nation. He chose Florida State over South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia Tech.

College career
In his initial year at Florida State, Watson played in 12 games and earned one starting assignment at the weakside linebacker position against Boston College, stepping in for the injured Geno Hayes. He totaled 23 tackles to finish second on the team among first year players (second to Myron Rolle) in total tackles, and earned All-ACC Freshman Team honors by The Sporting News.

As a sophomore, Watson started all 12 games during the regular season at the strong side linebacker position and ranked fifth on the team with a single-season career-high 50 tackles. In his junior year, he ranked fourth among Seminoles defenders with 46 tackles.

Professional career
Watson was drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the seventh round of the 2010 NFL Draft. Watson was signed to a four-year contract on June, 18, 2010.