| Current team | New York Jets |
|---|---|
| Number | 95 |
| Position | Defensive end |
| Birth date | October 1, 2000 (age 26) |
| Birth place | Sumter, South Carolina, U.S. |
| Height | 6 ft |
| Height in | 5 |
| Weight lb | 277 |
| High school | Sumter |
| College | UConn (2019–2023) |
| Undraftedyear | 2024 |
| Pastteams |
|
| Status | Active |
| Statseason | 2025 |
| Statlabel 1 | Total tackles |
| Statvalue 1 | 23 |
| Statlabel 2 | Sacks |
| Statlabel 3 | Pass deflections |
| Pfr | WattEr00 |
Eric Watts (born October 1, 2000) is an American professional football defensive end for the New York Jets of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the UConn Huskies.
Early life
From Sumter, South Carolina, Watts attended Sumter High School where he played football and basketball, being selected to the Offense–Defense All-American Bowl in football while helping the team win county and region championships.[1] As a senior, he had 8 1/2 sacks while helping Sumter win ten straight games.[2] He committed to play college football for the UConn Huskies.[3]
College career
Watts began seeing extended action at UConn as a true freshman in 2019.[4] He appeared in all 12 games that year and totaled 30 tackles.[5] The team's 2020 season was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and in 2021, Watts played 10 games while accumulating 39 tackles.[6] He appeared in 13 games in the 2022 season and posted 49 tackles while leading the team in both tackles-for-loss (10) and sacks (7.0), additionally blocking two kicks and having two forced fumbles.[1] He had 34 tackles and two sacks as a senior in 2023 and was invited to participate at the 2024 Senior Bowl and the NFL Scouting Combine.[7][8]
Professional career
Watts signed with the New York Jets as an undrafted free agent on May 3, 2024.[9] He was also selected by the Memphis Showboats in the fifth round of the 2024 UFL draft on July 17.[10] Watts made the Jets' initial 53 man roster out of training camp as a UDFA.
On August 26, 2025, Watts was waived by the Jets as part of final roster cuts and re-signed to the practice squad the next day.[11][12] On December 10, he was signed to the active roster.[13]
References
- ^ "Eric Watts". UConn Huskies
- ^ Fuller, Jim (March 7, 2019). "Speedy Watts, DeVaughn looking to thrive in new UConn scheme". New Haven Register
- ^ Brunson, Dennis (December 18, 2018). "Sumter High's Watts is UConn bound". The Sumter Item
- ^ Putterman, Alex (August 12, 2019). "Freshman Eric Watts settling into pass-rush role, plus other UConn football notes". Hartford Courant
- ^ Arruda, Joe (August 5, 2023). "‘Working through the dirt,’ UConn defensive lineman Eric Watts sets sights high for senior season". Hartford Courant
- ^ Adamec, Carl (August 7, 2023). "UConn football's Eric Watts has been loyal, now senior ready to lead Huskies, chase NFL dreams". CTInsider.com
- ^ "Eric Watts College Stats". Sports-Reference.com
- ^ Dexter, CJ (February 14, 2024). "Huskies in the Pros: Haynes and Watts invited to combine, Bouknight released by Charlotte". The Daily Campus
- ^ Greenberg, Ethan & Pullano, John (May 3, 2024). "Jets Sign 17 Undrafted Free Agents". NewYorkJets.com
- ^ "2024 UFL College Draft: Showboats select Kansas QB Jason Bean with No. 1 pick". FoxSports.com. July 17, 2024. Retrieved July 19, 2024.
- ^ Allen, Eric & Weir, Susanna. "Jets Sign 14 Players to Practice Squad". NewYorkJets.com. Retrieved 29 August 2025.
- ^ Lange, Randy & Allen, Eric. "Final Cuts Jets Move 22 Players to Reduce Active Roster to 53 Players". NewYorkJets.com. Retrieved 27 August 2025.
- ^ Weir, Susan. "Jets Sign DL Eric Watts to Active Roster and Place DL Tyler Baron on Injured Reserve". NewYorkJets.com. Retrieved 11 December 2025.