Mississippi State recruit Watson arrested

Nathaniel Watson, who committed to Mississippi State on national signing day, was arrested on numerous traffic violations following his involvement in an accident that injured a passenger in his car.

Watson, a wide receiver/linebacker from Maplesville (Ala.) High School, was charged on Friday with assault first degree -- a felony -- in the wake of a drag-racing mishap two weeks earlier, according to a statement from the Maplesville Police Department, per the Clanton Advertiser.

The accident occurred on Feb. 1 as Watson and senior teammate Tyrone Davis engaged in a drag race that started in front of the school, police said.

"As the racing vehicles topped a hill, an oncoming car caused Nathaniel Watson Jr. to swerve and lose control, striking a power pole, cutting it in half and knocking power out to portions of Maplesville," the police statement read.

According to police, the passenger in Watson's Chevy Impala "had a crushed femur, fractured pelvis, his right arm broken and internal injuries. He was airlifted to UAB for treatment."

No court date has been set for either Watson or Davis, who was cited for reckless endangerment among a number of charges.

Watson had 45 receptions for 506 yards and three touchdowns while adding 500 yards rushing and seven scores in his senior season. He also registered 45 tackles and three interceptions on defense.