2025 top-ranked EDGE Ari Watford to visit Clemson, Penn State

Many of the top prospects in the 2025 cycle are setting their visit plans for the back half of January. Programs are transitioning and the transfer portal is booming, but the best juniors in the nation will also require a fair bit of attention.

Norfolk (Va.) Maury four-star EDGE Ari Watford announced his top six schools earlier this week, including Clemson, Penn State, South Carolina, Ohio State, Virginia Tech and Syracuse. He’s now set to visit Clemson (Jan. 27) and Penn State (Feb. 3), according to 247Sports’ Tom Loy.

Watford is the No. 20 overall prospect and top-ranked EDGE in the 2025 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He’s also the No. 1 player in Virginia.

Of the programs in contention for Watford’s pledge, the in-state Virginia Tech Hokies have had him on campus the most and currently lead for the blue-chipper in the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine (RPM). The Nittany Lions and Tigers are now set to try and make another impression in the coming weeks.

“Penn State was cool,” Watford told BWI last spring following his April visit. The drive up was cool and then when we got up there, the whole staff greeted me at the door,” he said. “I wasn’t the only recruit that day, but I did get to chill with my position coach. I watched practice and everything. Overall, it was a good experience. I like Penn State. I love the D-line coach.

“I love Coach James Franklin. He has a lot of energy. I just think overall, we have a good connection. I would say that about the whole coaching staff.”

Watford has an On3 NIL Valuation of $125K. The On3 NIL Valuation is the industry’s leading index that sets high school and college athletes’ projected annual value (PAV). The NIL valuation does not act as a tracker of the value of NIL deals an athlete has completed to date. It rather signifies an athlete’s value at a certain moment in time.

Ari Watford Scouting Summary

“Big-framed, explosive pass rusher who looks like one of the top EDGE prospects early on in the 2025 cycle. Measured at over 6-foot-5, 220 pounds with a 6-foot-8.5 wing-span prior to his freshman season. Has a quick first step. Bursts off the snap and explodes into the backfield to make plays behind the line of scrimmage. Makes easy work of opposing offensive tackles in pass rush situations. Typically beats the tackles to the edge, but also shows a budding technical skill set, using quick hands and spin moves to disengage. Flashes his athleticism as a pursuit defender with the high-level play speed to track down runners from behind. Also has the look of a strong run defender, using his big frame to set the edge.”