Clayton Echard

Clayton Echard (born April 29, 1993) is an American sales representative and former football player. He is best known for his appearances as a contestant on season 18 of The Bachelorette, and as the star of season 26 of The Bachelor.[2]

Clayton Echard
Born (1993-04-29) April 29, 1993
Eureka, Missouri, U.S.
EducationUniversity of Missouri (BS)
OccupationTelevision personality
Sales representative
Height6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)[1]

Early life and education

Echard was born on April 29, 1993, in Eureka, Missouri.[3] He has two brothers, Nate and Patrick.[1] He began playing football in the sixth grade and was a defensive lineman for the varsity football team during his senior year at Eureka High School, where he graduated in 2011. Though he did not receive any scholarship offers, Echard was selected as a walk-on member of the Missouri Tigers football team at the start of his first year at the University of Missouri.[4][5] At the University of Missouri, he studied health sciences and minored in Spanish and business, receiving a bachelor's degree in 2015.[6]

College football

Echard redshirted his freshman year and played one game during the 2012 season.[4][7] He was named to the Southeastern Conference academic honor roll for 2012.[8] At the start of the 2013 season, Echard was moved from defensive end to tight end.[9] He played 12 games and recorded one assisted tackle.[5]

He played in both offensive and defensive positions in all 14 games during the 2014 season, eventually settling as tight end, which he continued to play during the 2015 season.[4][7] Echard signed with the Seattle Seahawks as a tight end in July 2016, but was cut from the team in September 2016.[10][11]

Career

Echard has worked as a sales representative for Stryker Corporation, a medical device company, since July 2016.[7]

The Bachelorette
Main article: The Bachelorette (American season 18)

Echard first appeared as a contestant on Michelle Young's season of The Bachelorette.[7] He was first announced as a potential contestant for the season, along with 34 other men, in July 2021.[12][13] He finished in eighth place.

The Bachelor
Main article: The Bachelor (American season 26)

In September 2021, Variety and other sources reported that Echard was cast as the star of season 26 of The Bachelor.[14][7] On September 16, he spoke to fans of the franchise in his hometown, saying that he was "excited" and "a little nervous".[15] ABC and Warner Bros. have not officially confirmed the reports.[7] Echard was officially confirmed by ABC on November 30, 2021.[2]

References
  1. "Clayton Echard - Football - University of Missouri Athletics". Missouri Tigers. Retrieved October 13, 2021.
  2. Wagmeister, Elizabeth (November 30, 2021). "It's Official: ABC Names Clayton Echard Next Star of 'The Bachelor'". Variety. Retrieved November 30, 2021.
  3. "Clayton Echard". The Columbus Dispatch. Retrieved September 17, 2021.
  4. Schnell, Nick (July 14, 2012). "No guarantees for those hoping to walk on to Missouri football team". Columbia Missourian. Retrieved September 17, 2021.
  5. "Clayton Echard". University of Missouri Athletics. University of Missouri. Retrieved September 17, 2021.
  6. Woods, Austin (September 16, 2021). "From Faurot Field to 'The Bachelor' mansion: MU grad to star on reality show". Columbia Missourian. Retrieved September 18, 2021.
  7. Blum, Eric (September 16, 2021). "The next 'Bachelor' is Clayton Echard: 5 things to know about the former Mizzou football player". Columbia Daily Tribune. Retrieved September 17, 2021.
  8. Matter, Dave (January 27, 2013). "Missouri football players make SEC Honor Roll". Columbia Daily Tribune. Retrieved September 18, 2021.
  9. Paylor, Terez A. (August 9, 2013). "MU seeking depth, versatility at tight end". The Kansas City Star. Archived from the original on September 10, 2013. Retrieved September 18, 2021.
  10. Baldwin, Kristen (September 16, 2021). "5 very important facts about new Bachelor Clayton Echard". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved September 17, 2021.
  11. Condotta, Bob (September 3, 2016). "Cutdown day arrives for Seahawks: Seattle acquires two safeties in getting down to 53". The Seattle Times. Retrieved September 17, 2021.
  12. Jacobs, Meredith (July 27, 2021). "'The Bachelorette' Season 18: Meet Michelle Young's 35 Potential Suitors". TV Insider. Retrieved September 18, 2021.
  13. Ryan, Monica (July 26, 2021). "Eureka native could be on next season of 'The Bachelorette'". KTVI. Retrieved September 18, 2021.
  14. Wagmeister, Elizabeth (September 15, 2021). "'The Bachelor' Season 26: Is Clayton Echard ABC's New Star?". Variety. Retrieved September 17, 2021.
  15. Palermo, Gregg; Barker, Zara (September 16, 2021). "Eureka abuzz as Clayton Echard reportedly tapped to be ABC's 'Bachelor'". KTVI. Retrieved September 18, 2021.
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