FARGO — Christian Watson's North Dakota State playing career may be over, but his time representing the Bison is not.
Less than a week after receiving an invite to play in the Reese's Senior Bowl, Watson received some more good news. The former Bison wide receiver is heading to the NFL Combine.
A source confirmed Watson's invite to the annual event held in Indianapolis that brings together the top football prospects in the country that potentially could be drafted into the NFL.
This year's NFL Combine takes place March 1-7 in Indianapolis at Lucas Oil Stadium, the home of the Indianapolis Colts.
Watson becomes the 14th former NDSU player to receive an invite to the combine and for the fifth year in a row, NDSU will have a representative there. The 2021 Combine was a virtual event, where former Bison quarterback Trey Lance held interviews with NFL teams, while he had two pro days in Fargo.
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Watson just completed his Bison career with a fourth national championship in five years. He returned for the FCS Championship Game after missing the previous three games with a hamstring injury.
Please welcome WR Christian Watson @ChristianW2017 from @NDSUfootball to the 2022 @Reeses Senior Bowl!!! #TheDraftStartsInMOBILE™️ @JimNagy_SB @PaniniAmerica #RatedRookie pic.twitter.com/WahZnl78cb
— Reese's Senior Bowl (@seniorbowl) January 6, 2022
Watson had four receptions for 61 yards in the 38-10 win over Montana State. He finished his senior season with 43 receptions for 801 yards and seven touchdowns. For his career, he racked up 105 receptions and 14 touchdowns, while adding another two rushing scores.
He left Fargo on Monday for south Florida to begin training for the Senior Bowl, which he was invited to last week. That is held Feb. 5 in Mobile, Ala.
"It's huge, every single opportunity to pursue the dream I've had since I was a kid, I'm extremely grateful and I can't wait," Watson said after the FCS Championship.
"It just shows you can do anything you put your mind to. This school and program appreciates everyone on the team, I continue to expand my role and and expand my opportunities that I've been given."
NDSU NFL COMBINE INVITES
2022: Christian Watson
2021: Trey Lance
2020: Derrek Tuszka
2019: Easton Stick
2018: Nick DeLuca
2016: Carson Wentz, Joe Haeg
2015: Kyle Emanuel, John Crockett
2014: Marcus Williams, Billy Turner
2012: Paul Cornick
2010: Pat Paschall
2007: Craig Dahl