Leroy Watson IV

Leroy Watson IV Bio

Leroy Watson IV (born June 10, 1998) is an American professional football offensive tackle. He played college football for the UTSA Roadrunners after beginning his career at the junior college level with the Hutchinson Blue Dragons. After going unselected in the 2022 NFL draft, Watson signed with the Atlanta Falcons as an undrafted free agent and has since played for several National Football League organizations as he has continued to develop his game at the professional level.

Listed at 6 feet 4 inches and 311 pounds, Watson has built a career as a versatile offensive lineman capable of playing both right and left tackle. Through the early stages of his professional journey he has appeared in regular-season games for multiple clubs, recording both appearances and starts while working to establish long-term stability on an NFL roster.

Early Life and Background

Leroy Watson IV was born on June 10, 1998, in Snellville, Georgia, in the United States. He grew up in the Snellville community and attended Shiloh High School, where he first developed the athletic profile that would eventually lead him to the sport of football at a competitive level. His upbringing in the state of Georgia placed him in a region widely recognized for producing high-level football talent at both the high school and collegiate ranks.

At Shiloh High School, Watson played as a pass-catching tight end, a position that showcased his athleticism and hands but also hinted at the frame and physical traits that would later support a move to the offensive line. His high school experience gave him a foundation in football fundamentals and helped him attract attention from college programs looking for developmental prospects.

Following his time at Shiloh, Watson opted to begin his college career at Hutchinson Community College in Kansas, a well-known junior college football program. The decision to attend Hutchinson allowed him to continue growing as a player while remaining visible to four-year programs searching for transfers.

Path to American Football

Watson spent the 2017 and 2018 seasons at Hutchinson Community College, where he appeared on the field as a tight end. During his time with the Blue Dragons, he caught 12 passes for 123 yards and two touchdowns, demonstrating the receiving skills that had been a hallmark of his high school play. His production at Hutchinson helped him attract the attention of Football Bowl Subdivision programs.

After the 2018 season, Watson transferred to the University of Texas at San Antonio to play Division I football for the UTSA Roadrunners. The move represented a step up in competition and an opportunity to develop against a higher level of college talent. Over three seasons with the Roadrunners from 2019 through 2021, Watson recorded 25 receptions for 297 yards and two touchdowns, while continuing to refine the blocking elements of his game.

During the 2020 season, Watson was recognized with an honorable mention all-Conference USA selection, an acknowledgment of his steady contributions to the UTSA offense. His combination of size, athleticism, and developmental upside positioned him as a prospect to watch heading into his senior college season and the subsequent professional evaluation process.

Leroy Watson IV Career

Early Career (2022)

After going undrafted in the 2022 NFL draft, Watson signed with the Atlanta Falcons as an undrafted free agent. Although he had been a blocking tight end at UTSA, Falcons offensive line coach Dwayne Ledford took notice of Watson during the Falcons’ local pre-draft day, and the organization chose to convert him to left tackle. Watson responded to the position change by bulking up significantly, adding more than 30 pounds and going from about 270 pounds to over 300 pounds in preparation for the demands of offensive line play in the NFL. Despite the investment, Watson was waived by the Falcons on August 30, 2022, as the team trimmed its roster ahead of the regular season.

Shortly after his release, Watson was signed by the San Francisco 49ers to their practice squad on September 5, 2022. The move gave him an opportunity to continue his development within a respected organization. On February 1, 2023, Watson signed a futures deal with the 49ers, securing his place with the team beyond the 2022 season and signaling that the franchise saw long-term potential in his progression as an offensive lineman.

San Francisco 49ers and Cleveland Browns (2022–2023)

Watson’s time with the San Francisco 49ers continued into the 2023 offseason. On August 29, 2023, he was waived by the 49ers during final roster cuts, only to be re-signed to the practice squad the following day. His ability to remain within the 49ers system reflected the organization’s continued interest in his development as a depth piece along the offensive line.

On November 2, 2023, Watson signed with the Cleveland Browns off the 49ers practice squad, providing him with a fresh opportunity for game action. Watson went on to play seven games at both right and left tackle for the Browns during the 2023 season, gaining his first sustained regular-season experience in the NFL. That exposure to live game action across multiple tackle positions helped him build the resume he would carry into the following year.

Tennessee Titans Era (2024)

On April 12, 2024, Watson was traded to the Tennessee Titans in exchange for a seventh-round selection, the 227th overall pick, in the 2024 NFL draft. The trade reflected the Titans’ interest in adding experienced depth to their offensive line room. Watson was waived by the Titans on August 27, 2024, and re-signed to the practice squad, before being signed to the active roster on October 9.

Watson started four games at right tackle for the Titans during the 2024 season, providing the team with starting-level play at the position. Later in the year, however, he missed time due to a back injury. He was released again by the Titans on December 10, 2024, ending his stint in Tennessee.

Minnesota Vikings and Las Vegas Raiders (2024–2025)

On December 27, 2024, Watson signed with the Minnesota Vikings practice squad, giving him another opportunity to compete for a roster spot during the offseason. He signed a reserve or future contract with the Vikings on January 16, 2025, locking in his place with the organization. Watson was ultimately waived by the Vikings on August 25, 2025, as part of late-preseason roster decisions.

Watson continued his search for a stable NFL home on October 1, 2025, when he signed with the Las Vegas Raiders practice squad. He was released by the Raiders on November 18, 2025, concluding that chapter of his career.

Louisville Kings (2026)

On January 14, 2026, Watson was selected by the Louisville Kings of the United Football League, the spring professional football league that has absorbed elements of several predecessor indoor and spring circuits. His selection marked a transition to a new professional platform following his time on NFL practice squads and active rosters. He was released by the Kings on April 19.

Driving Style and Strengths

Watson’s strengths as an offensive lineman are rooted in his athletic background as a former tight end. His ability to play both right and left tackle gives him positional flexibility, while his experience as a pass catcher at the college level contributes to a strong understanding of route concepts and pass protection angles. Coaches who have worked with him have pointed to his willingness to add weight and reshape his body for the trenches as a sign of long-term commitment to the position.

Notable Events and Milestones

One of the defining early moments of Watson’s professional career came when the Atlanta Falcons chose to convert him from tight end to offensive tackle, a transition that required him to gain more than 30 pounds. He later recorded his first sustained NFL playing time with the Cleveland Browns, appearing in seven games during the 2023 season, and earned his first starts as a professional offensive lineman with the Tennessee Titans in 2024.

Leroy Watson IV Career Wins

As an offensive lineman, Leroy Watson IV’s contributions are measured less in individual win totals and more in his durability, positional versatility, and ability to stay on active NFL rosters across multiple teams. Through the 2024 season, he had appeared in 11 regular-season games and made 4 starts, numbers that reflect steady professional progress for a player who entered the league as an undrafted free agent.

NFL Career Highlights

Watson made his most significant regular-season impact with the Cleveland Browns in 2023, when he played in seven games at right and left tackle. He followed that with his first four NFL starts as a right tackle for the Tennessee Titans in 2024, an opportunity that cemented his standing as a viable starting-level offensive lineman before a back injury cut his season short.

Other Performances

Beyond his NFL appearances, Watson also gained experience on the practice squads of the San Francisco 49ers, Minnesota Vikings, and Las Vegas Raiders, organizations that valued his developmental upside. His selection by the Louisville Kings of the United Football League in January 2026 added a spring professional chapter to his career arc.

Leroy Watson IV Family

Family Background and Racing Lineage

Public biographical information about Leroy Watson IV’s immediate family is limited. He grew up in Snellville, Georgia, and attended Shiloh High School, but specific details about his parents and any extended family members with football backgrounds are not widely documented in verified sources.

Personal Life

Verified public information about Watson’s personal life, including marital status and children, is not currently available. He is known to have been active on social media under the handle associated with his public Instagram profile, where he shares updates related to his football career.

2025 Season Performance

Watson entered the 2025 calendar year coming off a season in which he had started four games at right tackle for the Tennessee Titans before a back injury led to his release in December 2024. He signed a reserve or future contract with the Minnesota Vikings on January 16, 2025, positioning himself to compete for a roster spot throughout the Vikings’ offseason program. His main storyline heading into the 2025 league year was whether he could translate his 2024 starting experience into a stable role with his new organization.

Watson was waived by the Vikings on August 25, 2025, as the team made its final preseason decisions, ending his push for a spot on Minnesota’s active roster. Shortly after, on October 1, 2025, he signed with the Las Vegas Raiders practice squad, where he continued to refine his technique in hopes of earning another call-up. He was released by the Raiders on November 18, 2025.

Looking ahead, Watson was selected by the Louisville Kings of the United Football League on January 14, 2026, signaling a transition into a spring professional league and an opportunity to play meaningful snaps. His 2025 season was defined by movement between practice squads and the steady challenge of converting a position-switcher’s frame into a reliable professional offensive lineman.