A Clemson lineman is no longer a member of the Tigers’ roster.
Watson Young, who was entering his third season at Clemson, has decided to step away from football, a team spokesperson told The Clemson Insider.
Young missed the entire 2024 season after suffering a knee injury and did not see any game action last year.
During the spring, head coach Dabo Swinney said Young had been working at center.
“He’s just battling. He’s battling. He’s in there competing at center, trying to get in the mix as well,” Swinney said. “The biggest thing with him is just he missed a lot of time. He’s missed a bunch of time around here. It’s hard to compete when you’re not available. And then all of a sudden you get behind, and it’s the season, and you’re kind of repping the guys that are playing.
“So, the spring is the time to get out there and compete. And that’s one of the things I told him – like, let’s go compete. Because he can. But he’s a center, for sure, and we need him. And he’s a consistent guy. So now, he’s got to really just be available every day and gain some confidence throughout the spring.”
Watson, who signed with the Tigers as a three-star prospect out of nearby Daniel High School, has several ties to Clemson. His father, Kyle Young, is a Clemson Athletic Hall of Famer. He played for the Tigers from 1998-2001 and was a two-time All-American on the field as Clemson’s starting center across the 1999-2001 seasons.
Watson’s uncle, Will Young, was an offensive lineman at Clemson from 1992-95 and was an All-ACC selection in 1995. Watson’s great-grandfather, Ed McLendon, lettered in 1939 and played on the first bowl team in Clemson history that earned a 6-3 win in the 1940 Cotton Bowl. Watson’s grandfather, Ben Watson, was a linebacker at Clemson from 1968-70.
Watson was one of five finalists for Mr. Football in South Carolina in 2023. Daniel went 51-1 during his four years at the high school, winning three state titles in four years. He was an All-State honoree in 2022 and 2023 and was named to the South Carolina Shrine Bowl team in 2023.
