SIU football is adding a third transfer to its team as Kyron Watson, a sophomore linebacker from Kansas, will become a Saluki, according to football coach Nick Hill.

In two seasons at Kansas, Watson recorded 10 tackles in 15 games. His best game was last season against Oklahoma, which was ranked No. 14 in the AP Top 25 at the time. Watson recorded three tackles and a fumble recovery in a 62-7 loss to the Sooners, which finished the season at No. 5.

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Watson graduated from East St. Louis High School as a four-star prospect, according to ESPN.com. He set the school record with 21 tackles in a game as a senior.

According to his Kansas profile, Watson turned down offers from California, Cincinnati, Michigan, Minnesota, Purdue, Syracuse and Texas Christian University.

Watson will be the 14th linebacker on the Saluki roster for next season. Last season, inside linebackers Chase Allen and Markese Jackson finished first and third on the team in total tackles, combining for 22 percent of the team’s tackles.

Watson and Jackson played at East St. Louis together from 2010 to 2012.

Brent Meske can be reached at [email protected] or at 536-3333