Watkins Lands on College Football Hall of Fame Ballot
By: Gavin Oliver June 1, 2026

The College Football Hall of Fame ballot has added a legendary former Clemson wide receiver.

On Monday, Sammy Watkins joined returning nominee Donnell Woolford among the 80 FBS candidates on the ballot for the Hall’s 2027 induction class.

Watkins was a three-time first-team All-American during his career as a Tiger from 2011-13, as well as a first-team All-ACC selection in 2011 and 2013, and a unanimous first-team Freshman All-American/ACC Rookie of the Year in 2011. 

Watkins was officially inducted into the Clemson Athletic Hall of Fame as a member of the Class of 2024. He finished his Clemson career with 240 receptions for 3,391 yards and 27 touchdowns.

Clemson currently has eight members enshrined in the College Football Hall of Fame – Banks McFadden, Terry Kinard, Jeff Davis, C.J. Spiller, John Heisman, Jess Neely, Frank Howard and Danny Ford.

The announcement of the 2027 College Football Hall of Fame Class will be made in early 2027, with specific details to be announced in the future.

Following is a list of Watkins’ career accolades and accomplishments at Clemson, as compiled by Clemson Athletics at the time of the 2024 Athletic Hall of Fame Class announcement:

  • Three-time first-team All-American, one of just five in Clemson history. 
  • Unanimous first-team Freshman All-American in 2011. 
  • First-team All-ACC in 2011 and 2013. 
  • Finalist for the Biletnikoff Award in 2013. 
  • Had 101 receptions in his final year for 1,464 yards and 12 touchdowns, still records for receptions and yards in a season. 
  • In the final game of his career vs. Ohio State in the 2013 season Orange Bowl, had 16 catches for 227 yards, both single-game Clemson records and Orange Bowl records. 
  • National Freshman of the Year by Columbus, Ohio TD Club, and the Sporting News. 
  • ACC Rookie of the Year in 2011. 
  • Finished his career with 240 receptions for 3,391 yards and 27 touchdowns.
  • Second in Clemson history in total receptions, still first in reception yards and tied for first in career reception touchdowns. 
  • Fourth pick of the 2014 NFL Draft by Buffalo Bills, which was tied for the highest NFL draft pick in school history at the time; Now tied for second.