William "Pop" Waverly Watson III (born June 8, 2004) is an American college football quarterback for the UMass Minutemen. He previously played for the Virginia Tech Hokies.
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Early life
Watson was born on June 8, 2004, and attended Springfield Central High School in Springfield, Massachusetts. He led them to two Massachusetts Intercollegiate Athletics Association (MIAA) Division I state championships at quarterback. Watson was named the 2022 Massachusetts Gatorade Football Player of the Year.
College career
Virginia Tech
In 2023, as a freshman, he appeared in two games where he rushed for 40 yards. He was briefly suspended from the team for reportedly missing curfew. The following year, Watson played in five games, starting two, completing 34 of 58 passes (58.6%) for 481 yards, one touchdown, two interceptions, 19 rushing yards, one rushing touchdown. In 2025, he appeared in four games, completing two of four passes for 77 yards and had nine rushes for 22 yards and a touchdown. On December 26, 2025, Watson entered the transfer portal.
UMass
On January 11, 2026, Watson committed to UMass. Watson began the 2026 season as a starting quarterback for the first time in his career. In the season opener against Big Ten opponent Rutgers, he completed 19 of 22 passes for 197 yards and three touchdowns, leading UMass to a 37–21 victory. The win snapped the Minutemen's 16-game losing streak and gave them their first victory over an FBS opponent since defeating Army in 2023. UMass entered the game as a 29.5-point underdog.