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Clemson
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Ari Watford

AriWatford

Norfolk, VAMaury
Jersey
#17
Pos
EDGE
HT / WT
6-5.5 / 235
Class
FR
The Journey
Class of 2025
Clemson Tigers
ENROLLED
Maury Commodores
Maury Commodores
2023 – 2024
HIGH SCHOOL
Salem Sun Devils
Salem Sun Devils
2022 – 2022
HIGH SCHOOL

Film

HIGHLIGHTS · ANALYSIS · COMMIT FILM
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Team Predictions

Industry Consensus · RPM Picks
Team
Prediction
Recruited By
Distance
Class Rank
Draft Pos (5yr)
Draft Total (5yr)
Clemson
ENROLLED1/24/2024
22.0%
399 mi
23
3
26
Virginia Tech
25.2%
234 mi
38
1
10
Virginia
OFFERED
12.8%
154 mi
60
0
5
Georgia
OFFERED
5.6%
447 mi
2
2
49
Tennessee
OFFERED
5.6%
433 mi
11
2
17
Clemson
ClemsonENROLLED
Wes Goodwin
22.0%
Virginia Tech
25.2%
Virginia
VirginiaOFFERED
12.8%
Georgia
GeorgiaOFFERED
5.6%
Tennessee
TennesseeOFFERED
5.6%

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Official & Unofficial · 12 total
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Scouting Report

1 Report
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Ari Watford Scouting Summary
Charles Power
07/22/24

Big-framed EDGE who excels as a run defender. Measured at 6-foot-5.5, 235 pounds as a junior. Looks to have good length. Transferred to state power Maury as a junior and helped the team to a state title. An active run defender. Pins his ears back and gets upfield to make plays behind the line of scrimmage. Picks his way through traffic to make plays. Can get skinny when working through the gap. Active in backside pursuit. Implements his length and physicality to make plays as a finisher. Was used more as a defensive end, shaded inside as a junior. Made more plays as a pass rusher as a sophomore. Needs to improve his burst and first step quickness. Has more unknowns about his physical and athletic traits along with his true pass rush skill than some of his peers. Younger for the cycle, turning 17 years-old in April of his junior year.

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Measurements & Testing

Ari WatfordMaury
Top 300 DL AvgAvg. Last 3 Years
NFL Combine DraftedAvg. Last 3 Years
Weight
235
276
300
85.1%78.3%
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Photos

Gallery · 5 Images

Personal Life

Norfolk (Virginia) Maury coach Dyrri McCain said he never has to worry about Ari Watford being ready for the challenge – no matter if it's on or off the field. McCain said he's extremely proud of how Watford is prepared for anything, whether it's a tough matchup on the field or in the classroom. "With him, I'm just never into talking about his film or his play," McCain told WTKR. "That's going to be on display. That speaks for itself. He takes his academics seriously, he takes everything he does with a purpose seriously, when he's in the weight room, it's serious business. He just has a professional mindset now." Watford was a MaxPreps sophomore All-American and all-state selection in 2022 with 12 sacks. In 2023, he helped lead Maury to the state title with seven sacks. “I think I set the edge well,” Watford said. “I rush off the edge with quickness, and I use my hands precisely when beating my opponent. I am also a vocal leader on the field with my teammates. I have the ability to stop the run anywhere. I think I have a skill set that can be developed and coached.”

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