NFL hopeful Christian Watson's top five highlight plays at NDSU

Watson told WDAY Sports Director Dom Izzo that his representation believes he'll be an early second round pick.

Watson finished his NDSU career with 18 career touchdowns, 14 receiving, two rushing and two on special teams, most of them of the highlight variety.

Here's a look at his top five highlight plays during his Bison career.

5. Watson's 43 yard touchdown run vs South Dakota (November 2021)

In a game where NDSU routed South Dakota, the highlight play belonged to Watson. The Bison had a 21-0 lead after the first quarter, Watson's touchdown run brought fans out of their seats. Watson took an end around and then maneuvered his way thru four different South Dakota tacklers on his way to the endzone. Watson finished the day with 104 total yards as NDSU blew out the Coyotes, 52-24.

4. A one-man wrecking crew vs Northern Iowa

The spring 2021 season wasn't filled with big stats for Watson, as he had just one touchdown reception. Watson did his damage on special teams, returning two kickoffs for touchdowns. The first came against Northern Iowa and completely jumpstarted the Bison that day. Northern Iowa led 6-0 late in the second quarter when Watson fielded the kick inside his endzone. He proceeded to blister past every Panther and returned it 100 yards for a touchdown to give the Bison a 7-6 lead. Then right before the half, Watson grabbed a Zeb Noland pass over the middle and galloped 61 yards to the Panther 16 yard line that set up an NDSU field goal. Watson did all that damage within a 2:30 span as NDSU won the game, 23-20.

3. Steals the show at Sam Houston

NDSU's 24-20 quarterfinal loss at Sam Houston was memorable for a couple of reasons. It was played in May and the Bison offense did nothing in the game. The NDSU special teams kept them in the game with a blocked punt for a safety, a punt return touchdown and another Watson kickoff return touchdown. With NDSU trailing 17-2 midway thru the third quarter, Watson took the kick at his own six yard line and blazed down the sidelines, 94 yards for a touchdown. Watson would add a 2 point conversion in this game along with two receptions for 40 yards in the Bison loss.

2. Heroics vs Missouri State

Watson didn't have many late game heroics, simply because NDSU was always up by so many points. That wasn't the case in October 2021 as the Bison were tied at 20 with Missouri State in the fourth quarter. Cam Miller had replaced Quincy Patterson at quarterback and led the Bison on a drive to tie the game at 20. NDSU got the ball back with 12:03 remaining and faced a 2nd and 26 at the 49 yard line. Miller hit Watson on a great 32 yard pass that put the Bison down to the Bear 19 yard line. After a personal foul and a sack, NDSU was pushed back to the 24. Miller then threw a dart to Watson in the back of the endzone, who made a twisting catch for the touchdown. The Bison went in front 27-20 with 5:00 left and held on to beat the Bears.

1. A 70 second blur in the semifinals

Watson's star turn on the national stage began in the semifinals in December of 2019. NDSU and Trey Lance was on its way to a historic season and Watson benefited from that. The Bison and Montana State were tied up at 7 in the second quarter when Lance threw a 75 yard bomb to Watson, who blazed down the sidelines to make it a 14-7 NDSU lead. After the Bison forced a Montana State punt, Watson took a handoff and exploded again, this time a 70 yard touchdown run to make it a 22-7 Bison lead, as NDSU cruised to a 42-14 win. Watson's two 70 plus yard touchdowns in 70 seconds established himself nationally as a potential NFL player.