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Former Texas and Ohio State star forced out of football after devastating medical update

Originally posted on A to Z Sports | By Ian Valentino | Last updated Apr 29, 2025 5:06 PM ET

Just days after the Pittsburgh Steelers celebrated welcoming in its 2025 NFL Draft class, the team unceremoniously announced devastating news about one of its 2024 draft picks. Ryan Watts has been forced to retire from the NFL for medical reasons.

Selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the sixth round (195th overall) of the 2024 NFL Draft, Watts showed versatility at the Shrine Bowl, playing safety and cornerback.

However, a neck injury during the 2024 preseason, initially thought to be a stinger, led to his placement on injured reserve and release on April 28, 2025, after medical consultation confirmed a likely career-ending condition. He never played a regular-season game in the NFL.

Statement from GM Omar Khan on Ryan Watts: pic.twitter.com/9fYfVFB5ez
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) April 28, 2025

Watts, born November 7, 2001, in Little Elm, Texas, played college football at Ohio State and Texas before a brief professional stint. Watts, a four-star recruit ranked as the No. 29 cornerback nationally by 247Sports, began at Ohio State.

As a freshman in 2020, he recorded five tackles in three games for the Big Ten and Sugar Bowl champion Buckeyes. In 2021, he played 12 games, starting against Minnesota, and tied for the team lead with two interceptions (against Rutgers and Maryland), adding six tackles. Watts earned Academic All-Big Ten honors in 2021 and was an OSU Scholar-Athlete in 2020.

After the 2021 season, Watts transferred to Texas, seeking a larger role. In 2022, he started 12 games, recording 51 tackles (four for loss), one sack, three pass deflections, and an interception, earning honorable mention All-Big 12 and Defensive Newcomer of the Year recognition.

Texas finished 8-5, including an Alamo Bowl loss. In 2023, injuries limited Watts to 10 starts, but he contributed 38 tackles, one for loss, and three pass breakups, with standout performances against Kansas State (eight tackles) and in the College Football Playoff. Texas went 12-2, reaching the Sugar Bowl.

This article first appeared on A to Z Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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