Clemson has landed a huge commitment from one of the nation’s top edge rushers in the 2025 class.
Maury (Norfolk, Va.) four-star defensive end Ari Watford committed to the Tigers on Wednesday.
Watford chose Clemson over South Carolina, Ohio State, Syracuse, Virginia Tech, Penn State and others. He lists around 40 total offers.
Watford is the No. 30 overall prospect in the country for the 2025 class according to the 247Sports Composite, which touts him as the top prospect in the state of Virginia and the No. 4 edge rusher nationally. 247Sports ranks him as the No. 20 overall prospect nationally in his class.
The 6-foot-6, 235-pound junior received an offer from Clemson this past June. He has traveled to Tiger Town multiple times, including for the Dabo Swinney Camp over the summer, and is set to attend the Tigers’ elite junior day this Saturday.
Watford becomes the eighth commitment in Clemson’s 2025 class, which now ranks fifth nationally according to the 247Sports Composite team rankings.
Watford joins wide receiver Carleton Preston, running back Gideon Davidson, defensive lineman Amare Adams, offensive lineman Easton Ware, quarterback Blake Hebert, tight end Logan Brooking and athlete Marquise Henderson in Clemson’s 2025 class.
Watford is a big-time pickup for the Tigers and new defensive ends coach Chris Rumph.