MANKATO — Minnesota State wide receiver TreShawn Watson is now aiming to play on Sunday’s.
The 6-foot-4 wide receiver announced via social media that he has declared for the 2026 NFL Draft.
“Thank you for making this feel like home,” Watson said toward the fans in his social media post. “Fans who supported us every step of the way, and to the local businesses that welcomed me with open arms, I’m truly grateful. This community has played a huge role in my journey, and I’ll always carry that with me.”
Watson accumulated 129 catches for 2,122 yards and 20 touchdowns across three seasons with the Mavericks after transferring from Illinois State following the 2022 season. His 20 career receiving touchdowns rank fifth in program history, surpassing the 19 caught by NFL Pro Bowler Adam Thielen.
Watson was on pace for a monster senior season in 2025, making 40 catches for 732 yards and five scores across six games where he recorded at least four catches and 83 yards in every game. He sustained a lower body injury halfway through the 2025 season which ended what could’ve been a legendary 2025 campaign.
Watson earned First Team All-American honors in 2024 after racking up 53 catches for 808 yards and 9 touchdowns. He was a three-year starter at Antioch High School in Illinois and was named All-State honorable mention as a senior as he helped his team win a conference championship and reach the second round of the state tournament.
He’s also aiming to be the next MSU pass catcher to make the NFL.
Thielen went undrafted in 2013 before attending rookie tryout and evaluation session with the Minnesota Vikings, later making the practice squad that season.
He has indicated 2025 being his final season in the NFL after appearing in 178 regular season games, catching 704 passes for 8,497 and 64 touchdowns with the Vikings, Carolina Panthers and Pittsburgh Steelers.
Thielen earned Second-team All-Pro honors in 2017 after racking up 91 catches for 1,276 yards and 4 touchdowns.
There’s also MSU legend Shane Zylstra, who owns the program all-time record for receptions (227), receiving yards (4,297) and receiving touchdowns (54). He went undrafted in 2020 and has been with the Detroit Lions since the 2021 season after moving from wide receiver to tight end.