Clayton Echard is an American television personality, former college football player and real-estate professional. He became widely known on Michelle Young’s season of The Bachelorette before ABC selected him to lead The Bachelor season 26 in 2022.
His story did not begin or end with reality television. Echard played at the University of Missouri, joined the Seattle Seahawks for training camp, worked in medical sales and later moved into real estate. More recently, he appeared on Netflix’s Perfect Match and participated in the investigative podcast Love Trapped.
Clayton Echard at a Glance
| Detail | Verified information |
|---|---|
| Full name | Clayton Ray Echard |
| Date of birth | April 29, 1993 |
| Age | 33 as of August 18, 2026 |
| Hometown | Eureka, Missouri |
| College | University of Missouri |
| College position | Tight end; previously defensive line |
| Known for | The Bachelorette season 18 and The Bachelor season 26 |
| Later television | Perfect Match season 3 |
| Current public work | Real estate and the Love Trapped podcast project |
| Last confirmed relationship status | Netflix listed him as single after Perfect Match season 3 |
From Eureka to Missouri Football
Echard grew up in Eureka, Missouri, and attended the University of Missouri. The university’s official football profile for Clayton Echard lists him at 6 feet 5 inches and 260 pounds during his final college season.
He began on the defensive line and later moved to tight end. Echard also contributed on special teams and in short-yardage situations. During the 2015 season, he earned one start and caught two passes for 14 yards.
Missouri says Echard earned a bachelor’s degree in health professions in August 2015. He also appeared on the SEC Academic Honor Roll several times. ABC later described his degree as health science with minors in business and Spanish.
Did Clayton Echard Play in the NFL?
Echard reached an NFL training camp but never played in a regular-season game. That distinction matters because some biographies simply call him a former NFL player.
The Seattle Seahawks announced his signing on July 31, 2016. Seattle added him as an undrafted rookie tight end after he had participated in the team’s rookie minicamp as a tryout player.
Echard joined the Seahawks’ 90-man preseason roster and competed for a place on the team. Seattle released him before the regular season. The most accurate description is that he had a brief Seahawks training-camp stint after playing college football at Missouri.
How Did Clayton Echard Become The Bachelor?
After football, Echard worked in orthopedic and medical-device sales. He entered reality television in 2021 as a contestant on season 18 of The Bachelorette, led by Michelle Young.
Young eliminated him before the hometown dates. His emotional exit and stated desire to start a family helped position him for another opportunity in the franchise.
On November 30, 2021, ABC officially named Echard the next Bachelor. His season premiered on January 3, 2022.
The finale became one of the franchise’s most discussed endings. Echard told Rachel Recchia, Gabby Windey and Susie Evans that he had strong feelings for them. He ultimately pursued Evans, but she left the show without accepting a final relationship.
What Happened With Susie Evans?
Echard and Evans reconnected after filming and confirmed their relationship during the live finale. They dated publicly for several months before announcing their breakup in September 2022.
Neither has announced a reconciliation. Echard’s later television appearance brought him back into contact with Recchia, another finalist from his Bachelor season.
Clayton Echard Return on Perfect Match
Netflix cast Echard on Perfect Match season 3, which streamed in August 2025. The series brought contestants from several reality franchises together for a new dating competition.
Echard and Recchia briefly explored whether their earlier connection deserved another chance. It did not develop into a lasting relationship. In its officials post-season update, Netflix listed Echard as single.
That remains the latest clearly documented relationship status found in this review. It does not rule out private dating, and social-media activity alone should not support a claim about a current partner.
What Does Clayton Echard Do Now?
Echard has worked as a real-estate agent in the Phoenix metropolitan area. His public Zillow agent profile shows recent buyer transactions and several years of experience. Those listings support his professional activity, but they do not reveal his income or net worth.
His largest public project in 2026 has centered on the legal dispute that followed his move into real estate. In February, iHeartMedia announced Love Trapped, an investigative podcast hosted by Stephani Young and featuring Echard.
The series revisits the paternity claim, the court proceedings and the effects of public accusations. It also includes interviews with people connected to the events. The podcast presents Echard’s experience in detail, but court records remain the proper source for legal conclusions.
What Happened in the Paternity Case?
The dispute began in 2023 after Arizona resident Laura Owens filed a paternity petition. She alleged that Echard had fathered twins. Echard denied paternity and asked the court for a formal ruling.
The case later produced two different legal tracks. A family court issued civil findings in 2024. Arizona prosecutors then brought a separate criminal case in 2025. The civil ruling is final on the points described below, while the criminal charges remain unresolved accusations.
What Did the Civil Court Decide?
In June 2024, the Maricopa County family court granted Echard’s petition for non-paternity. The court found that Owens had knowingly presented a false claim. It ordered her to pay Echard’s reasonable attorney fees and costs and referred the matter to the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office for review.
Owens challenged the fee award. On March 28, 2025, the Arizona Court of Appeals affirmed the ruling. The appellate decision addressed attorney fees and related procedural arguments. It was not a criminal conviction.
What Is the Criminal Case Status?
In 2025, an Arizona grand jury indicted Owens on felony charges connected to the Echard matter. A later superseding case added allegations involving a second man.
The Maricopa County Attorney’s Office described the additional indictment and made an essential legal point: criminal charges are accusations. Owens is presumed innocent unless and until a court finds her guilty.
As of August 18, 2026, the reviewed authoritative sources did not show a conviction or accepted guilty plea. The criminal case therefore remains pending. Interviews, podcasts and social-media commentary cannot determine its outcome.
Frequently Asked Questions
How old is Clayton Echard?
Clayton Echard was born on April 29, 1993. He was 33 years old as of August 18, 2026.
How tall is Clayton Echard?
The University of Missouri listed Echard at 6 feet 5 inches during his 2015 football season. That is a historical roster measurement.
Was Clayton Echard an NFL player?
The Seattle Seahawks signed Echard as an undrafted rookie in 2016. He participated in training camp but did not make the regular-season roster or appear in an NFL regular-season game.
Are Clayton Echard and Susie Evans still together?
No. Echard and Evans announced their breakup in September 2022. No reliable source reviewed for this article showed that they later resumed their relationship.
Is Clayton Echard dating Rachel Recchia?
No current relationship has been confirmed. They briefly revisited their connection on Perfect Match season 3, but Netflix reported that it was not a long-term match.
Did the court find Clayton Echard was the father?
No. The Arizona family court granted Echard’s petition for non-paternity in June 2024. It also awarded him attorney fees, and the Arizona Court of Appeals later affirmed that fee award.
Conclusion
Clayton Echard has built a public career across college football, reality television, real estate and podcasting. He did not play a regular-season NFL game, but his Missouri career and Seahawks training-camp opportunity formed an important part of his path to television.
His Bachelor season remains his best-known role, while Perfect Match and Love Trapped represent more recent chapters. The family court ruled in his favor on non-paternity and fees. The separate criminal case against Owens remains pending, and due process requires treating every unresolved charge as an allegation.
Sources and Update Policy
This profile relies on university and professional-team records, official network pages, Netflix, iHeartMedia, Arizona court materials and prosecutor information. Supplied competitor pages informed the research but do not appear as citations.
For a broader list of appearances and references, see Clayton Echard’s Wikipedia biography.
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