Carlos Watkins Bio
Carlos Watkins (born December 5, 1993) is an American professional football defensive end for the Tennessee Titans of the National Football League (NFL). Standing 6 feet 3 inches tall and weighing around 305 pounds, he plays on the defensive line and has lined up at both defensive end and defensive tackle during his career. He played college football for the Clemson Tigers, where he earned two first-team All-Atlantic Coast Conference selections and helped Clemson win the 2016 College Football Playoff National Championship.
Watkins entered the NFL in 2017 when the Houston Texans selected him in the fourth round of the draft. Across his professional career, he has also been a member of the Dallas Cowboys, Arizona Cardinals, Los Angeles Rams, and Washington Commanders. He signed with the Tennessee Titans in May 2025 and remains active in the league.
Early Life and Background
Carlos Watkins was born on December 5, 1993, in Forest City, North Carolina, in the United States. He grew up in the small western North Carolina community of Forest City and attended Chase High School, where he first gained attention as a standout football recruit. His size, strength, and motor made him one of the most sought-after defensive line prospects in the state during his high school years.
As a junior at Chase High School, Watkins tallied 50 tackles, including 29 tackles for loss, and recorded 14.0 sacks. In his senior season, he produced 15 sacks, one interception, and five forced fumbles, which pushed him onto the national radar. He played in the Shrine Bowl and the U.S. Army All-American Bowl, two of the top high school all-star games in the country. In addition to football, he was a talented basketball player, averaging more than 21 points and 10 rebounds per game as a junior.
Path to American Football
Coming out of high school, Watkins accepted a football scholarship from Clemson University, joining one of the top programs in the Atlantic Coast Conference. As a true freshman in 2012, he appeared in nine games, recording 16 tackles with one tackle for loss and three quarterback pressures. He showed enough promise to earn a larger role the following season.
His development was interrupted in 2013, when a car crash caused blood clots in both of his legs and ended his sophomore season. He was granted a medical redshirt and returned to the field as a redshirt sophomore in 2014, appearing in 11 games as a backup. By 2015, he had grown into a full-time starter and posted 69 tackles, 3.5 sacks, and an interception that he returned for a touchdown, earning first-team All-ACC honors. As a senior in 2016, he added another All-ACC selection, set a Clemson record for defensive tackles with 10.5 sacks, and was part of the Tigers team that defeated Alabama 35-31 to win the College Football Playoff National Championship.
Carlos Watkins Career
Early Career (2017-2020)
Watkins was selected by the Houston Texans in the fourth round, 142nd overall, of the 2017 NFL draft. The Texans had acquired the pick by trading Brock Osweiler to the Cleveland Browns. As a rookie, he appeared in 12 games with six starts, playing defensive end in a 3-4 defense, and finished with 21 tackles and one pass defensed.
His playing time fluctuated during his next three seasons in Houston. He appeared in four games in 2018 and recorded his first NFL sack against the Jacksonville Jaguars. In 2019, he played ten games with one start, posting 23 tackles, one sack, and one fumble recovery. In 2020, he set a then-career high by appearing in all 16 games with 11 starts, collecting 27 tackles and two sacks.
Dallas Cowboys Era (2021-2022)
On March 22, 2021, Watkins signed with the Dallas Cowboys to play as a defensive tackle in a 4-3 defense. The move represented a position change and a chance to play a more prominent role on a contender. He appeared in 15 games with a career-high 14 starts, making 32 tackles, one sack, one interception, and one pass breakup. He missed one game with a sprained knee.
On December 2, 2021, Watkins intercepted a pass from New Orleans Saints quarterback Taysom Hill and returned it 29 yards for his first career NFL touchdown, the signature moment of his first stint in Dallas. He re-signed with the Cowboys on a one-year contract in March 2022, was released before the season, and was promoted back to the active roster in October. He finished 2022 with 12 games played, four starts, 30 tackles, and one forced fumble, with most of his starts coming after Johnathan Hankins was placed on injured reserve.
Arizona Cardinals and Later Stops (2023-2024)
On March 30, 2023, Watkins signed with the Arizona Cardinals, but the move was cut short. He appeared in two games with one start, collecting seven tackles and one sack, before a biceps injury in Week 2 placed him on injured reserve. On August 14, 2024, he signed with the Los Angeles Rams but was released eleven days later on August 25.
On August 28, 2024, Watkins signed with the Washington Commanders’ practice squad and appeared in one game. On September 18, 2024, the Dallas Cowboys signed him off the Commanders’ practice squad, marking a return to Dallas for a second stint. He played in 15 games for the Cowboys that season, including a four-tackle performance against the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 10, finishing with 12 tackles.
Tennessee Titans Era (2025-Present)
On May 13, 2025, Watkins signed with the Tennessee Titans, joining a defensive line looking for experienced depth. He was released on August 26 as part of final roster cuts, but he re-signed with the team’s practice squad the next day. He remains with the Titans organization as he works toward another opportunity on the active roster.
Notable Events and Milestones
Watkins’ most memorable NFL moment came on December 2, 2021, when he intercepted Taysom Hill and returned the ball 29 yards for his first career touchdown while playing for the Dallas Cowboys. He was also a key senior contributor on the Clemson team that won the 2016 College Football Playoff National Championship with a 35-31 victory over Alabama. He set the Clemson single-season record for sacks by a defensive tackle with 10.5 in 2016 and earned two first-team All-ACC honors in 2015 and 2016.
Carlos Watkins Career Wins
Carlos Watkins has built a steady professional career across multiple NFL franchises since entering the league in 2017. While he is primarily known as a run-defending defensive lineman rather than a prolific pass rusher, he has produced consistently in rotational roles. His teams have reached the postseason during his tenures, including the Cowboys’ deep playoff runs in 2021 and 2024, and the Titans in 2025.
Regular-Season Highlights
Watkins has recorded at least one sack in five different NFL seasons, starting with his first career sack against the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2018. He posted career-high totals of 32 tackles and 14 starts with the Dallas Cowboys in 2021, the same season he scored his first NFL touchdown. In 2020 with the Houston Texans, he set a personal best with 11 starts and 16 games played, establishing himself as a reliable interior presence.
Carlos Watkins Family
Personal Life
Carlos Watkins was raised in Forest City, North Carolina, and has remained connected to his hometown throughout his professional career. He is a United States citizen and has built his football career while representing American programs at both the college and professional levels. Public details about his personal relationships and family are limited.
2025 Season Performance
Carlos Watkins joined the Tennessee Titans in May 2025, beginning his first offseason with the franchise. The Titans were retooling their defensive line, and Watkins brought veteran experience and positional flexibility. He participated in offseason workouts and training camp, competing for a role on the defensive line rotation.
Watkins was released on August 26 as part of the league’s final roster cuts, a common move for veteran depth players. He returned to the organization the next day on a practice squad deal, keeping him within the Titans’ system. From the practice squad, he has continued to develop chemistry with the coaching staff and contribute in practice settings while waiting for an opportunity to be promoted to the active roster.
Looking ahead, Watkins’ outlook for the rest of 2025 centers on staying ready and earning a call-up. With injuries common along the defensive line during a long NFL season, practice squad players with his experience are often promoted mid-season. His familiarity with multiple defensive schemes from his stops in Houston, Dallas, and elsewhere gives the Titans flexibility if they need to add interior depth at any point during the year.