Ryan Watts Bio
Ryan Watts is an American former professional football cornerback who was born on November 7, 2001, in Little Elm, Texas. He played collegiate football for the Ohio State Buckeyes and Texas Longhorns before being selected in the 2024 NFL Draft by the Pittsburgh Steelers. Notably, Watts faced a challenging career, dealing with injuries that led to his release from the team in 2025. Standing at 6 feet 3 inches and weighing 212 pounds, he was listed among the taller cornerbacks in the league during his brief professional tenure.
Watts is widely recognized as a Texas-born athlete who navigated two major college football programs before reaching the National Football League. His path from Little Elm High School to the professional ranks reflects the journey of a dedicated defensive back whose potential was acknowledged by scouts, even as his professional career was cut short by injury.
Early Life and Background
Ryan Watts grew up in Little Elm, Texas, a suburb located in the North Texas region. He attended Little Elm High School, where he developed into a highly regarded defensive back prospect. During his high school years, Watts earned national recognition, being ranked as the number 29 cornerback and number 341 overall prospect in the country by 247Sports. This ranking highlighted his physical tools and on-field potential at the cornerback position.
Following his successful high school career, Watts committed to play college football at Ohio State University. His decision to join the Buckeyes reflected his ambition to compete at one of the most prominent programs in college football. Growing up in Texas, Watts was immersed in the state’s deeply rooted football culture, which played a formative role in his early development as an athlete.
Path to American Football
Watts began his collegiate career with the Ohio State Buckeyes, where he joined a competitive defensive backfield. As a freshman in 2020, he appeared in three games and recorded five tackles, gaining valuable experience at the highest level of college football. During the 2021 season, he continued to develop, recording his first career interception in a victory over Rutgers in week five, followed by another interception the next week against Maryland. He finished the 2021 season with six tackles and two interceptions.
After the conclusion of the 2021 season, Watts decided to enter the transfer portal, seeking a new opportunity to expand his role. He transferred to the University of Texas at Austin to continue his college career with the Texas Longhorns. The move allowed him to return to his home state and compete in the Big 12 Conference, where he would face top-tier competition on a weekly basis.
Ryan Watts Career
Ohio State Era (2020-2021)
Watts spent his first two collegiate seasons with the Ohio State Buckeyes from 2020 to 2021. During his freshman campaign, he contributed five tackles across three appearances, providing depth in the secondary while adjusting to the speed and complexity of Big Ten football. His limited role as a freshman allowed him to learn the defensive system and prepare for a larger workload the following season.
In his sophomore season, Watts emerged as a playmaker in the defensive backfield. His first career interception came against Rutgers, and he added another against Maryland the following week, demonstrating his ball skills and coverage awareness. He finished the 2021 season with six tackles and two interceptions, performances that established him as a promising defensive prospect.
Texas Breakthrough (2022-2023)
Following his transfer to the University of Texas at Austin, Watts joined the Texas Longhorns and quickly became a key contributor in their secondary. During the 2022 season, he recorded his first interception as a Longhorn in week eight against Oklahoma State, although Texas ultimately lost the game. He finished the 2022 season with impressive overall production, tallying 51 tackles, four tackles for loss, one sack, three pass deflections, and one interception.
For his performance during the 2022 season, Watts was named an all-Big 12 honorable mention, an acknowledgment of his contributions to the Longhorns defense. His strong play at Texas solidified his status as an NFL prospect and set the stage for his entry into the 2024 NFL Draft. Across his time with the Longhorns, he demonstrated the physicality and coverage skills that made him an intriguing professional prospect.
Pittsburgh Steelers Era (2024)
Watts was selected with the 195th overall pick in the sixth round of the 2024 NFL Draft by the Pittsburgh Steelers. His selection marked the realization of a lifelong dream to play professional football. However, his professional career faced an immediate challenge when he was placed on injured reserve on August 27, 2024, before the regular season began.
The injury that led to his placement on injured reserve proved to be a significant neck issue. On April 28, 2025, after consultation with doctors and Steelers staff, Watts was released by the Steelers due to a likely career-ending neck injury sustained during the 2024 NFL preseason. As a result of this medical advice, Watts announced he would medically retire from football, ending his professional playing career before it truly began.
Driving Style and Strengths
Watts was known for his physical profile and versatility in the secondary. Standing 6 feet 3 inches tall and weighing 212 pounds, he possessed the size and length to match up with larger receivers while maintaining the athleticism needed for coverage duties. His college production at both Ohio State and Texas reflected a player capable of contributing in run support, evidenced by his tackle totals and tackles for loss, as well as in pass coverage, demonstrated through his interceptions and pass deflections.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the defining moments of Watts’s career came during his time at Texas, when his all-Big 12 honorable mention recognition affirmed his growth as a collegiate player. His selection in the 2024 NFL Draft by the Pittsburgh Steelers represented the pinnacle of his athletic journey. However, his career was ultimately defined by the unfortunate neck injury sustained during the 2024 NFL preseason, which led to his medical retirement in 2025.
Ryan Watts Career Wins
Throughout his collegiate and professional football career, Ryan Watts contributed to team victories at both Ohio State and Texas, with his individual performances helping to secure important wins. While primarily recognized for his defensive contributions rather than a high volume of individual accolades, his career featured notable games where his interceptions and tackles directly impacted the outcomes for his teams.
Texas Longhorns Highlights
During his time with the Texas Longhorns, Watts recorded his first interception as a Longhorn during the 2022 season against Oklahoma State. Although Texas lost that particular game, Watts’s interception showcased his ability to create turnovers at the collegiate level. He finished the 2022 season with 51 tackles, four tackles for loss, one sack, three pass deflections, and one interception, earning all-Big 12 honorable mention honors for his efforts.
Other Wins and Performances
At Ohio State, Watts contributed to victories over Rutgers and Maryland during the 2021 season, recording interceptions in both games that helped secure wins for the Buckeyes. These performances demonstrated his playmaking ability and ball-hawking skills in critical moments.
Ryan Watts Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Ryan Watts was raised in Little Elm, Texas, where he grew up surrounded by the football culture of the state. While specific details about his family members are not publicly documented in available sources, his Texas roots played a significant role in shaping his athletic development and eventual path to collegiate and professional football.
Personal Life
Ryan Watts maintains a presence on social media, where he shares updates about his life and career. As of the most recent information available, Watts resides in the United States following his medical retirement from professional football in 2025.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season marked an unexpected and challenging chapter for Ryan Watts. On April 28, 2025, after consultation with doctors and Pittsburgh Steelers staff, Watts was released by the team due to a likely career-ending neck injury sustained during the 2024 NFL preseason. As a result, he announced his decision to medically retire from professional football, bringing his NFL career to a close before he had the opportunity to play in a regular-season game.
Despite the disappointing conclusion to his professional playing career, Watts expressed gratitude for the opportunity to be drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers and for the support he received from the organization throughout his recovery. His retirement serves as a reminder of the physical risks associated with professional football and the importance of player health and safety.
Looking ahead, Watts transitions away from active competition in 2025, closing the book on his playing days while carrying with him the lessons and experiences gained from his time at Ohio State, Texas, and briefly with the Pittsburgh Steelers. His journey from a highly ranked high school prospect to a Big 12 honorable mention to an NFL draft pick reflects the dedication and perseverance he brought to the sport throughout his career.
