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Ari Watford - Football - Clemson University Athletics

#99  Ari Watford

Position:
DE
Height:
6-5
Weight:
245
Class:
Fr.
Hometown:
Norfolk, Va.
High School:
Maury HS

Career Stats

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Talented edge rusher out of the Tidewater region of Virginia

2025: Made collegiate debut with one tackle vs. Furman.

Before Clemson: Finalist for Gatorade Player of the Year in Virginia … unanimous four-star recruit … ranked as the nation’s No. 111 overall player by ESPN, which also ranked him as the nation’s 15th-best defensive end and the fourth-best player in Virginia … ranked No. 253 overall by On3, as well as the 23rd-best defensive end and fourth-best player in Virginia … listed by 247Sports as the 22nd-best defensive end and sixth-best player in Virginia … ranked as the 16th-best defensive end in the nation by Rivals, which also ranked him as the fourth-best player in Virginia … four-time unanimous all-district selection … three-time unanimous all-region honoree … three-time unanimous all-state selection from 2022-24 …  credited with 52 tackles, 22 tackles for loss, eight sacks, 13 quarterback hurries, three forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries in helping Maury to a 15-0 record and a state title … also contributed at tight end with one touchdown reception … transferred from Salem to Maury prior to his junior season … helped Maury to a 15-0 record and a Class 5A state title in 2023 … credited that season with 69 tackles, seven sacks, four fumble recoveries and three forced fumbles … was a second-team MaxPreps Sophomore All-American and a 5A all-state honoree in 2022 when he collected 12 sacks for Salem … selected to the Under Armour All-America Game … committed to Clemson on Jan. 24, 2024 … played for Dyrri McCain at Maury.

Personal: Born April 1, 2007 … enrolled at Clemson in January 2025 … psychology major … one of four signees in Clemson’s 2025 recruiting class from the state of Virginia, the Tigers’ largest contingent from that state since 1976 (four).

Note: Tackle stats in the written bio above reflect statistics from coaches film review. Tackle stats in the automated Stats tab of this page reflect those as awarded by gameday stat crews.