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 and has spent time with multiple NFL franchises since entering the league in 2022. After going unselected in the 2022 NFL draft, Watson began his pro career as an undrafted free agent with the Atlanta Falcons and has since worked his way through several practice squads and active rosters.
Standing 6 feet 4 inches tall and listed at 141 kilograms, Watson has carved out a journeyman role along the offensive line, primarily at right and left tackle. He has appeared in regular-season games for the San Francisco 49ers, Cleveland Browns, Tennessee Titans, and Minnesota Vikings, with stints on practice squads in between. Watson is widely regarded as a hard-working reserve who has remained in the NFL through perseverance and roster versatility.
Early Life and Background
Leroy Watson IV was born on June 10, 1998, in Snellville, Georgia. He grew up in the Atlanta metropolitan area and attended Shiloh High School in Snellville, where he first developed his frame and athletic foundation. His size and athleticism at the high school level positioned him as a promising offensive line prospect, and he drew attention from junior college recruiters during his prep years.
Coming out of Shiloh, Watson chose to begin his collegiate journey at the junior college level rather than signing directly with a four-year program. The decision allowed him to continue adding strength and refine his technique against older competition, a path that many developmental offensive linemen take before reaching the Division I ranks.
Path to American Football
Watson launched his college career at Hutchinson Community College in Kansas, competing for the Blue Dragons from 2017 through 2018. During his time at Hutchinson, he appeared in 12 games as a pass catcher, recording 12 receptions for 123 yards and two touchdowns, a notable statistical line that highlighted his athleticism in space and helped him earn attention from FBS programs.
Following the 2018 season, Watson transferred to the University of Texas at San Antonio to play Division I football for the UTSA Roadrunners. Over three seasons in San Antonio, he developed into a reliable offensive lineman and contributed to the team’s offense in a variety of roles. Across his three-year UTSA career, Watson recorded 25 receptions for 297 yards and two touchdowns, and in the 2020 season he earned honorable mention All-Conference USA recognition. His combination of size, mobility, and production helped him declare for the 2022 NFL draft as a legitimate professional prospect.
Leroy Watson IV Career
Early Career (2022)
After going unselected in the 2022 NFL draft, Watson signed with the Atlanta Falcons as an undrafted free agent. His time in Atlanta was brief, as he was waived by the Falcons on August 30, 2022, during final roster cuts. The release came just days before the start of the regular season, but Watson did not have to wait long for another opportunity.
On September 5, 2022, Watson was signed by the San Francisco 49ers to their practice squad, giving him a chance to develop within one of the league’s top offensive systems. He spent the remainder of the 2022 season on the 49ers’ practice squad, refining his technique and absorbing the organization’s offensive line coaching.
San Francisco 49ers (2022–2023)
Watson re-signed with the 49ers on February 1, 2023, agreeing to a futures contract that kept him in the organization through the offseason. He participated in the team’s spring and summer workouts, working to earn a spot on the regular-season roster. On August 29, 2023, he was waived by the 49ers during final roster cuts, but just one day later he was brought back to the practice squad.
His tenure with San Francisco gave Watson valuable insight into a championship-caliber offensive line room. Although he did not appear in regular-season games for the 49ers, the experience helped establish his reputation as a dependable practice-squad contributor.
Cleveland Browns Era (2023)
On November 2, 2023, Watson was signed by the Cleveland Browns off the San Francisco 49ers’ practice squad. He stepped into a rotation that needed depth at the tackle position and quickly earned the trust of the Browns’ coaching staff. During the 2023 season, Watson started one game and appeared in seven contests at both right and left tackle, demonstrating his positional flexibility.
His time in Cleveland represented his most extensive regular-season action to that point. Watson showed the ability to handle both tackle spots, a valuable trait for backup offensive linemen, and laid the groundwork for future opportunities around the league.
Tennessee Titans Era (2024)
On April 12, 2024, Watson was traded to the Tennessee Titans in exchange for a seventh-round selection, 227th overall, in the 2024 NFL draft. He was waived on August 27 but quickly re-signed to the Titans’ practice squad, and on October 9 he was promoted to the active roster. During the 2024 season, Watson started four games at right tackle for Tennessee before a back injury limited his availability later in the year. He was released again on December 10.
His stretch in Tennessee gave Watson his longest run of starting opportunities since entering the NFL. The four starts demonstrated that he could hold his own as a featured tackle when called upon, even though the back injury interrupted his momentum.
Minnesota Vikings and Las Vegas Raiders (2024–2025)
On December 27, 2024, Watson signed with the Minnesota Vikings practice squad, and on January 16, 2025, he signed a reserve/future contract with Minnesota to remain with the team through the offseason. His time in Minnesota ended on August 25, 2025, when he was waived during final roster cuts. Shortly after, on October 1, 2025, Watson signed with the Las Vegas Raiders’ practice squad. He was released by the Raiders on November 18, 2025, continuing his journeyman trajectory across the league.
Driving Style and Strengths
Watson’s primary strengths lie in his positional versatility and his size, which allow him to play both right and left tackle at the professional level. His background as a junior college and Division I athlete has given him a strong developmental foundation, and his experience in multiple offensive systems has made him a quick study in new schemes.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Watson’s most notable professional milestones is earning honorable mention All-Conference USA honors in 2020 during his time at UTSA. He also recorded his first NFL regular-season starts with the Cleveland Browns in 2023 and added four starts at right tackle for the Tennessee Titans in 2024, marking his most extensive stretch of starting opportunities in the league.
Leroy Watson IV Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Leroy Watson IV grew up in Snellville, Georgia, where he developed his passion for football from an early age. Beyond his Georgia upbringing, additional verified details about his family background are not publicly documented in available sources.
Personal Life
Watson was born and raised in Snellville, Georgia, and continues to be based in the United States as an active professional football player. Beyond his hometown and his commitment to the sport, additional verified personal-life details are not publicly documented in available sources.
2025 Season Performance
Watson’s 2025 season began with a reserve/future contract with the Minnesota Vikings, signed in January, which kept him in the organization through the offseason. He was waived on August 25, 2025, during the Vikings’ final roster cuts, ending his bid for an active roster spot in Minnesota. The move opened the door for Watson to find a new home later in the year.
On October 1, 2025, Watson signed with the Las Vegas Raiders’ practice squad, giving him another opportunity to compete at the professional level. His time with the Raiders was short-lived, as he was released on November 18, 2025. Throughout the 2025 calendar year, Watson continued to demonstrate the persistence that has defined his career, moving from one organization to the next while remaining available for any opportunity that might arise.
Looking ahead, Watson’s profile as a versatile offensive tackle with multiple seasons of practice-squad and active-roster experience positions him as a reliable depth option for teams in need of offensive line help. His ability to play both right and left tackle, combined with his size and professional work ethic, should continue to draw interest from clubs across the league.